MISCELANEA.  
Meditations.  
Memoratives.  
By Elizabeth Grymeston.  
Non est rectum, quod à Deo non est directum.  
LONDON, Printed by Melch. Bradwood for Felix Norton. 1604.   

The Contents.  

1 A short line, how to level your life.  
2 A mortified man's melancholy.  
3 A pathetical speech in the person of Dives in the torments of hell.  
4 Who lives most honestly, will die most willingly.  
5 A sinners Glass.  
6 The union of Mercy and justice.  
7 Not greater cross than to live without a cross.  
8 That fear to die, is the effect of an evil life.  
9 That affliction is the cost of a true Christian.  
10 A theme to think on.  
11 Morning meditation, with sixteen sobs of a sorrowful spirit.  
12 A Madregall.  
13 Evening meditation.  
14 Memoratives.    

To her loving son Bernye Grymeston.  
MY dearest son, there is nothing so strong as the force of love; there is no love so forcible as the love of an affectionate mother to her natural child: there is no mother can either more affectionately show her nature, or more naturally manifest her affection, than in advising her children out of her own experience, to eschew evil, and incline them to do that which is good. Out of these resolutions, finding the liberty of this age to be such, as that quicquid libet licet, so men keep themselves from criminal offences; and my mother's undeserved wrath so virulent, as that I have neither power to resist it, nor patience to endure it, but must yield to this languishing consumption to which it hath brought me: I resolved to break the barren soil of my fruitless brain, to dictate something for thy direction; the rather for that as I am now a dead woman among the living, so stand I doubtful of thy father's life; which albeit God hath preserved from eight several sinister assaults, by which it hath been sought; yet for that I see that Quem saepè transit casus, aliquando invenit, I leave thee this portable veni mecum for thy Counsellor, in which thou mayest ●ee the true portraiture of thy mother's mind, and find something either to resolve thee in thy doubts, or comfort thee in thy distress; hoping, that being my last speeches, they will be better kept in the conservance of thy memory; which I desire thou wilt make a Register of heavenly meditations.  
For albeit, if thou provest learned (as my trust is thou wilt; for that without learning man is but as an immortal beast) thou mayest happily think that if every Philosopher fetched his sentence, these leaves would be left without lines; yet remember withal, that as it is the best coin that is of greatest value in fewest pieces, so is it not the worst book that hath most matter in lest words. 
The gravest wits, that most grave works expect,  
The quality, not quantity, respect.  And the spider's web is neither the better because woven out of his own breast, nor the bees honey the worse, for that gathered out of many flowers; neither could I ever brook to set down that haltingly in my broken stile, which I found better expressed by a graver author.  
God sand thee too, to be a wits Chameleon,  
That any authors colour can put on.  
I have prayed for thee, that thou mightest be fortunate in two hours of thy life time: In the hour of thy marriage, and at the hour of thy death. Marry in thine own rank, and seek especially in it thy contentment and preferment: let her neither be so beautiful, as that every liking eye shall level at her; nor yet so brown, as to bring thee to a loathed bed. Defer not thy marriage till thou comest to be saluted with a God speed you Sir, as a man going out of the world after sortie; neither yet to the time of God keep you Sir, whilst thou art in thy best strength after thirty; but marry in the time of You are welcome Sir, when thou art coming into the world. For seldom shalt thou see a woman out of her own love to pull a rose that is full blown, deeming them always sweetest at the first opening of the bud. It was Phoedra her confession to Hippolytus, and it holds for truth with the most: Thesei vultus amo illos priores quos tulit quondam juvenis. Let thy life be formal, that thy death may be fortunate: for he seldom d●es well that liveth ill. To this purpose, as thou hast within thee Reason as thy Counsellor to persuade or dissuade thee, and thy Will as an absolute Prince with a Fiat vel Euitetur, with a Let it be done or neglected; yet make thy conscience thy Censormorum, and chief commander in thy little world: let it call Reason to accounted whether she have subjecteth herself against reason to sensual appetites. Let thy Will be censured, whether her desires have been chaste, or as a harlot she have lusted after her own delights. Let thy thoughts be examined. If they be good, they are of the spirit (quench not the spirit) if bad, forbidden them entrance; for once admitted, they strait ways fortify; and are expelled with more difficulty, than not admitted. 
Crush the serpent in the head,  
Break ill eggs year they be hatched.  
Kill bad chickens in the tread,  
Fledge they hardly can be catched.  
In the rising stifle ill,  
Jest it grow against thy will.  For evil thoughts are the devils harbingers; he never resteth, but where they provide his entertainment. These ●re those little ones whose brains thou must dash out against the rock of true judgement: for 
As a false Lover that thick snares hath laid,  
T'entrap the honour of a fair young maid,  
When she (though little) listening ear affords  
To his sweet, courting, deep affected words,  
Feels some assuaging of his freezing flame,  
And soothes himself with hope to gain his game,  
And rapt with joy, upon this point persists,  
That parleing city never long resists:  
Even so the serpent that doth counterfeit  
A guileful call t'allure us to his net,  
Perceiving us his flattering gloss digest,  
He prosecutes, and jocund doth not rest,  
Till he have tried foot, hand, and head, and all,  
Upon the breach of this new battered wall.   
I could be content to devil with thee in this agrument: but I must confine myself to the limits of an epistle, Quae non debet implere sinistram manum. To which rule I do the more willingly submit myself, for that the discourses following are motives to the same effect: which I pray thee use to peruse, even in that my affectionate love, which diffused amongst nine children which God did lend me, is now united in thee, whom God hath only left for my comfort. And because God hath endued thee with so violent a spirit, as that quicquid vis valde vis; therefore by so much the more it behoveth thee to deliberate what thou undertakest: to which purpose my desire is, that thou mightest be seasoned with these precepts in thy youth, that the practice of thy age may have a taste of them. And because that it is incident to quick spirits to commit rash attempts: as ever the love of a mother may challenge the performance of her demand of a dutiful child; be a bridle to thyself, to restrain thee from doing that which indeed thou mayest do: that thou mayest the better forbear that which in truth thou oughtest not to do, for haud citò progreditur ad maiora peccata, qui parva reformidat; he seldomest commits deadly sin, that makes a conscience of a venial scandal.  
Thou seest my love hath carried me beyond the list I resolved on, and my aching head and trembling hand have rather a will to offer, than ability to afford further discourse. Wherefore with as many good wishes to thee, as good will can measure, I abruptly end, desiring God to bless thee with sorrow for thy sins, thankfulness for his benefits, fear of his judgements, love of his mercies, mindfulness of his presence; that living in his fear, thou mayest die in his favour, rest in his peace, rise in his power, remain in his glory for ever and ever.  
Thy assured loving mother Elizabeth Grymeston.   

SIMON GRAHAME to the Author.  
Go famous thou, with ever flying fame,  
That makest thy flight on virtues wings to sore,  
In worlds of hearts go labyrinth thy name,  
That wonders self may wondrous thee adore.  
Though th'authors self triumph in heavenly glore,  
Thou sacred work giv'st mortal life again;  
And so thy worth hath made her evermore  
In heaven and earth for ever to remain.  
Her ponderous speech, her passion and her pain,  
Her pleasing stile shall be admired ilke where.  
The fruitful flowing of her lofty brain  
Doth now bewray a mother's matchless care,  
While she lives crowned amongst the high divines,  
Thou on her son celestial sun down shines.   

Tota vita dies unus. 
CHAP. I A short line how to level your life.  
WHen thou risest, let thy thoughts ascend, that grace may descend: and if thou canst not weep for thy sins, then weep, because thou canst not weep.  
Remember that Prayer is the wing wherewith thy soul flieth to heaven; and Meditation the eye wherewith we see God; and Repentance the Supersedea● that dischargeth all bond of sin.  
Let thy sacrifice be an innocent heart: offer it daily a● set hours, with that devotion that well it may show, thou both knowest and acknowledgest his greatness before whom thou art. So carry thyself as worthy of his presence.  
Where thou owest, pay duty: where thou findest, return courtesy: where thou art known, deserve love. Desire the best: disdain none, but evil company. Grieve but be not angry at discourtesies. Redress, but revenge no wrongs. Yet so remember pity, as you forget not decency.  
Let your attire be such, as may satisfy a curious eye; and yet bear witness of a sober mind.  
Arm yourself with that modesty, that may silenc● that untemperate tongue, and control that unchaste eye, ●hat shall aim at passion.  
Be mindful of things past; Careful of things present; Provident of things to come.  
Go as you would be met.  
Sir as you would be found.  
Speak as you would be heard: And when you go to bed, read over the carriage of yourself that day. Reform that is amiss; and give God thanks for that which is orderly: and so commit thyself to him that keeps thee.  
Teach me OH Lord to number my days, and to order my life after this thy direction.   

CHAP. II Amortified man's melancholy expressed in the person of Heraclitus, who always wept.  
LEt him that laughs come weep with me: for that which mirth neglects, tears do learn: It is the afflicted mind that is the touchstone of faults committed: and the guilt which security overseeth, a troubled mind doth soon discover.  
A doleful case desires a doleful song  
Without vain Art or curious compliment;  
And squalid fortune into baseness fling  
Doth scorn the pride of wonted ornament.  
Be sorry that thou canst not sorrow; thou that art begot in filthiness, nourished in darkness, brought forth in pangs of death; thou whose infancy is a dream; whose youth a frenzy; whose manhood a combat; whose age a sickness; whose life misery; whose death horror.  
Think, o think, and bethink thyself, from whence thou camest, where thou art, and whither thou goest, for thou art here in an obscure land, governed by the prince of darkness, where vice is advanced, virtue scorned, where pleasures are few, pains infinite: where want is miserable, plenty full of peril: in a vale of tears, environed or all sides with unplacable adversaries: where if thou subdue lust, covetousness assaults thee; if covetousness be vanquished, ambition will second her; if ambition be surprised, anger succeeds: in a world of mischief, where envy breaketh peace, jealousy sundreth friendship.  
A wretched world, the den of wretchedness.  
Deformed with filth and foul iniquity,  
A wretched world, the house of heaviness,  
Filled with the wreaks of mortal misery.  
OH wretched world, and all that is therein,  
The vassals of God's wrath, and slaves to sin.  
Thou hast a silly, poor, yet powerful soul, a soul of noble substance, of exceeding beauty, inspired by God the Father; redeemed by God the Son; sanctified by God the holy Ghost: this is the careful charge committed to thy charge to keep her. Where wilt thou find security for her, 
Which did in former time God's image bear?  
And was at first, fair, good, and spotless pure.  
But since with sins her beauties blotted wear,  
Doth of all sights her own sight lest endure.   
But now exiled from herself, and as a widow deprived of her espoused fellowship, committed to thy safe conduct where wilt thou secure her? in heaven the angels fell in God● presence: in paradise Adam fell from a place of pleasure in the world judas fell in the school of Christ: and if tho● sufferest her to fall, the falls to eternal perdition, for th● sword of God's justice hangeth always over our soul's rea●die for our sins to divide us from eternal bliss.  
Since harvest never fails, but ever must,  
Be tortured with the rack of his own frame:  
For he that holds no faith, shall find no trust,  
But sowing wrong, is sure to reap Gods blame.  
Let the eight of him that sits upon the rainbow be thy ark of security in this deluge of miseries; be not like the unclean Crow, that can find footing on every carrion, with little care to return again: but rather imitate the innocent Dove, that loathing abode without this ark, can find no rest; and with the wings of a longing desire and penitent heart, flicker at the window of this ark, till thy heavenly Noah put out his merciful hand to take thee in.  
For when the soul sindes here no true content,  
And like Noah's Dove can no sure footing take:  
She doth return from whence she first was sent,  
And flies to him that first her wings did make.  
Let her not drink of the floods of the vanities of this life, but as the dogs do of the river Nilus, that drink running, lest while they stay to take a full draft, they be stung with scorpions: for she lives in thy body no otherwise than as a lazar on his death bed, uncertain of life, but in apparent danger of endless death; within she makes her solace full of sadness: her hope full of hazard, and all her ways strewed with Cockatrice eggs, fair without, and foul within, make her careful of her steps. Thou hast the example of Christ: which way wilt thou go? he is the Way: whither wilt thou go? he is the Truth: where wilt thou stay? he is the Life. If this Way lead thee thorough austere passages; if this Truth teach thee true contrition: if this Life be not achieved but with a doleful pilgrimage; for where dost thou read that Christ laughed? then Woe be to you that laugh, for you shall mourn: and happy are you that lament, for you shall be comforted.   

CHAP. III A pathetical speech of the person of Dives in the torments of hell.  
OH Death, how sudden was thy arrest unto me? how unexpected? while my body was strong, while my entrails were full of fat, and my bones were watered with marrow; while I had rest in my substance, and peace in my riches; in one night my soul was taken from me, and all my joy was turned into mourning.  
Like as the sacred one that careless stands,  
With gilded horns, and slowrie garlands crowned,  
Proud of his dying honour and dear bands,  
Whilst theatres fume with frankincense around:  
All suddenly with mortal blow aston'd,  
Doth groveling fall, and with his steaming gore,  
Distain the pillars and the holy ground,  
And the fair flowers that decked him afore,  
So down I fell on wordless precious shore.  
I saw my friends forsake me in a moment: I felt how hard a thing it was to sever two such old acquaintances as my soul and body: I wanted no view of the vanities wherein I had delighted. On the one side hung a register of my sins committed; on the other side lay a catalogue of good deeds omitted: within me boiled my conscience confessing and accusing me: Before me stood the judgements of God denounced against sin so mustered in rank, as I might well perceive my dangers were certain, and destruction imminent. In this ecstasy while I desired but one hours delay, I was carried with a motion Torrenti simili, as swift as the torrent before the tribunal seat of God.  
Under whose feet, subjecteth to his grace,  
Sat Nature, Fortune, Motion, Time and Place.  
To this tribunal seat attended me my evil works, where Christ showing himself, laid open unto me the benefits he had bestowed upon me, the rewards he promised me, the torments he suffered for me; all which the devil confessing, concluded me to be his; for that though he never loved me', yet I served him, though he never gratified me, yet I obeyed him, without wooing he won me, performing what he suggested, embracing what he preferred, affecting every thing he cast in my way, all which my conscience acknowledging, censured me to this bottomless depth, to this profound lake, to this sink of the world, whither all the afflictions and unpleasant things in the world drain and unite themselves to take revenge of sin.  
A deadly gulf where naught but rubbish grows,  
Which up on th' air such stinking vapour throws,  
That over there may fly no bird but dies,  
Choked with the pestilent savours that arise.  
To this Chaos of confusion, to this Well of perdition wherein I am coarcted, to this burning lake of fire and brimstone wherein I lie burning, but not consuming; lamenting, but not pitied; where vomit out the riches which I devoured; in pain, without ease; in torture without intermission; where my lascivious eyes are afflicted with most ugly and fearful sights of grisly devils; my ears that once were delicate, are laden now with the hideous noise of damned spirits; my nose that once was dainty, is cloyed with the stink of unsupportable filth; my taste that sometimes was curious, and surfeited with plenty, is now tormented with want; my imagination is vexed with apprehension of pains present; my memory grieved with the loss of pleasures past; my understanding affected with the consideration of felicity lost, and misery found. Thus comparing senses pleasure with incumbent joy, I find my joys abortive, perished ere they bud, my pains everlasting, during beyond eternity.  
Your fond preferments are but children's toys.  
And as a shadow all your pleasures pass.  
As years increase, so waving are your joys.  
Your bliss is brittle, like a broken glass,  
Or as a tale of that which never was.  
Wherefore as one past cure, dejected beyond hope of redemption into endless perdition, rather condoling my misfortune, than expostulating my mishap whereof myself was author, I call to you, the glory of your age, the meat of time, who proud in your errors, tread the path of worldly pleasures, wherein I was impathed: Frustra, o frustra haec aliò properanti.  
What in this life we have or can desire,  
Hath time of growth, and moment of retire.  
So feeble is man's state as sure it will not stand,  
Till it disordered be from earthly band.  
It was a condition annexed to our Creation: Intrasti u●exires, thou wert borne to die. Nothing more sure than thy dissolution: no time more uncertain than thy time of separation. Be always ready to prevent that enemy, that is always in readiness to take advantage. Qui non vult in vit● providere mortem, non potest in morte videre vitam. Who while he lives will not prevent eternal death, shall neve● after death inherit eternal life  
Let every one do all the good he can:  
For never cometh ill of doing well.  
Though just reward it wants here now and than,  
Yet shame and evil death it doth expel.  
Miser chi maloprando, si confida,  
Ch'ogn' hor star debba in maleficio occulto:  
Che quand'ogn' altro taccia intorne grida,  
L'aria la terra e'l luggo in ch'e sepolto.  
Edio sa spesso ch'il peccato grida  
Il peccator, pois ch'alcun di gli ha' indulto,  
Che se medesimo, seuza altruj rechiesta,  
Inavedutament manifesta.  
Wretched is he that thinks by doing ill,  
His evil deeds long to conceal and hide:  
For though the voice and tongues of men be still,  
By fowls and beasts his sin shallbe descried.  
And God often worketh by his secret will,  
That sin itself the sinner so doth guide,  
That of his own accord, without request,  
He makes his wicked doings manifest.  
Shame follows sin never so closely done:  
Shame always ends, what wickedness begun.  
Hoc est momentum temporis unde pendet aeternitas. The carriage of thyself in this life, is the beam whereof thy welfare for ever dependeth. Defer not thy amendment: 
God is best when soon wrought,  
Lingering thoughts do come to naught.  
OH suffer not delay to steal the treasure of that day,  
Whose smallest minute lost, no riches tender may.   
Turpe est eo statu vivere, in quo non statuas mori. In vain thou livest in that estate of life, in which thou meanest not to die. Make, o make your salvation sure unto you by good works. Incline your heart to do good: for the reward thereof is infinite: for he is coming and cometh quickly, and brings his reward with him, to distribute to every one as he hath deserved, even according to his works. Omission and commission brought my confusion.  
Cautior exemplo tu. Let my example provoke you to detest that wherein I took delight, jest you also come hither to be tormented not only with oppression of eternal punishment, but with omission of everlasting joys, which I admire now, carendo non fruendo: which if I might redeem by suffering all the torments that either tyrants have invented, or martyrs suffered; if with my tongue I might lick out the print of my feet out of the way of sinners; if with tears of blood and water I might purge my uncleanness to work my redemption: Ecce Domine paratum aegrum haberes in omnem medicinam. Behold, o Lord, thou shouldest have a patiented fit for any cure. I would wring my drained eyes, ut facilè sentires paratum ad omne supplicium ipsum habitum orantis Christiani. But since my glass is run, and my sun set; since death hath overshadowed me, and that there is no pleading after sentence; since that serò ducit suspiria, qui ron expectat remedum: since my affecting what I should have desired, is turned into a feeling of that I lost; quia ex infer no nulla redemptio, quia poenarum nullus sinis, suppliciorun nulla defectio; because there is no end for my hell, nor satisfaction for my punishment: Therefore to you I call, to you that careless live, that feel not with what sense speak. Consider, Whence you came, Where you are, and Wither you go. You are parts of that God that created all things for you, and you for himself. You live on the stage of the earth, Vbi spectaculum factiestis Deo, Angelis, & hominibus, Where you are in the view of God, angel's an● men. And you are going, o look to your going, Non est vit● momentum sine motu ad mortem. There is no moving of 〈◊〉 without a motion to death. You go and are always goin● to make your appearance before the tribunal seat of Go● where every man shall receive according to his works. Qu● lis vita, finis ita: ut cecideris, ita eris. As you fall, so he find● you: as he finds you, so he censures you: and as he ce●●sures you, so he leaves you for ever and ever. Wherefor● quia arbour ad eam partem moriens cadit, ad quam partem ●●uens ramos extenderat, because as a tree falls, that way sways while it is in growing: if you desire to fall righ● learn while you are in your growth, to sway the right wa● judge yourselves, that you be not judged, Vt sementum ●●ce●is, ita metes: What you sow that you reap, either crown of glory, quam nemo scit nisi qui accepit, or a chaos confusion, in qua sempeternus horror habitat, whose worth can not be expressed, but of him that enjoys it, or a mass of confusion in which eternal horror doth inhabit.   

CHAP. four Who lives most honestly, will die most willingly.  
SWeet (saith chrusostom) is the end to the labourers: willingly doth the traveler question about his Inn: often casteth the hireling when his years will come out: the woman great with child will often muse of her delivery: and he that knows his life is but a way to death, will sit upon the threshold with the poor prisoner, expecting to have the door open to be let out of so loathsome a prison, looking for death without fear, desiring it with delight, and accepting it with devotion. 
For what's the life of man, but even a tragedy,  
Full of sad sighs, and sore catastrophes?  
First coming to the world with weeping eye,  
Where all his days like dolorous trophies,  
Are heaped with spoils of fortune and of fear.  For it is only death that unlooseth the chains, and sets us free from our domestical enemy. It is only he, that wafts us forward in this sea of calamities, the danger whereof is shown by the multitude of those that perish by the gun-shot of the devils assaults, and by the rareness of those that escape shipwreck. 
Our frailties doom, is written in the flowers,  
Which flourish now, but fade yer many hours.  
By death's permission th'aged linger here,  
Strait after death, is due the fatal beer.  It is only death that brings us into harbour, where our repose is without trouble, our comfort without crosses, where our tears shall be turned into triumph, our sadness into joy, and all our miseries into perfect felicity.  
Death is the salve that ceaseth all annoy.  
Death is the port by which we pass to joy.  
It is for brutes to fear death, whose end of life is conclusion of their being. It is for Epicures to fear death, whose death is the beginning of their damnation. It is for such as traffic vanities, to look to gain grief; for such as have sown sin, to look to reap misery; for those of a desperate life, to look for a damnable decease: but the good man that did sow in tears, by death shall reap in joy; for his judge is he who knows our weakness, and will acknowledge our infirmities: his accusers are made dumb by former repentance; his conscience is cleared by former confession; hope is his staff, to keep him from sliding; grace is his guide, to keep him from erring; faith his assurance, to strengthen his resolution: and what doth he ose, but frail and tickle life, a vapour that soon vanisheth, a dry leaf carried with every wind, a sleep fed with imaginary dreams, a tragedy of transitory things and disguised persons, that pass away like a post in the night, like a ship in the sea, like a bird in the air, whose tract the air closeth?  
Life is a bubble blown up with a broth,  
Whose wit is weakness, and whose wage is death,  
Whose way is wildness, and whose inn is penance,  
Stooping to crooked age the host of grievance.  
Who can he in his study and look on his hourglass, and say not to himself, Vt hora, sic fugit vita? that thy life is spent with the hour? Who can walk in the Sun, and look on his shadow, and not say with Pindarus, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Vmbrae somnium homo, Man is but the dream of a shadow? Or who can see the smoke dispersed in the air, and not say with the Poet, Sic in non hominem vertitur omni● homo Canst thou feel the wind beaten on thy face, and canst thou forget that thou holdest thy tenement by a puff o● wind? canst thou sit by the river side, and not remember that as the river runneth, and doth not return, so is the lif● of man? Canst thou shoot in the fields, and not call to min● that as the arrow flieth in the air, so swiftly do thy daye● pass? Or canst thou walk in the fields, and see how some grass is coming, some newly withered, and some already come, and dost not remember that all flesh is grass? Miser homo, cur te ad mortem non disponis, cùm sis pro certo moriturus? Miserable man, why dost thou not dispose thyself to death, since thou art sure thou canst not live? Nostrum vivere, è vita transire: our best life is to die well: for living here we enjoy nothing: things past are dead and go: things present are always ending: things future always beginning: while we live we die; and we leave dying, when we leave living. Our life was a smoke, and is vanished; was a shadow, and is passed; was a bubble, and is dissolved. The poor man's life is led in want, & therefore miserable. The rich man's joy is but vanity: for he is poor in his riches, abject in his honours, discontented in his delights. This made Hilarion say, Egredere: quid times, anima? octoginta annos seruisti domino: Thou hast served thy God fourscore years, and therefore fear not now to go take thy wages. And Ambrose, Non mori timeo, quia bonum habeo dominum, Who feared not to die, knowing that he that came hither to buy us an inheritance, is go before us to prepare it for us.  
OH who would live, so many deaths to try,  
Where will doth wish that wisdom doth reprove,  
Where nature craves that grace must needs deny,  
Where sense doth like, that reason can not love,  
Where best in show in final proof is worst,  
Where pleasures upshot is to die accursed?   
Quid es; vides. Quid futurus sis; Cogita. 
CHAP. V Speculum vitae. A sinner's glass.  
WHat is the life of man but a continual battle, and defiance with God? what have our eyes and ears been, but open gates to sand in loads of sin into our mind? What have our powers and senses been, but tinder to take, and fuel to feed the flame of concupiscence? What hath thy body been but a stews of an adulteress, but a forge of Satan, where the fire of our affections kindled with wicked suggestions, have enflaired the passions of our heart, and made it the anvil to turn us to most ugly shapes of deformed sensuality? What hath our soul, which is the receipt of the blessed Trinity betrothed to Christ in Baptism, beautified with grace, ordained with the fellowship of angels to eternal bless, what hath it been, but a most vile broker, presenting to thy will allurements of sin? what hath our will been, but ● common harlot lusting after every delight, wherein sh● took liking? what is our memory, but a register of mos● detestable and abominable facts committed by us? wha● hath our reason been, but a captived vagabond, subdue● by every passion?  
The sin that conquers grace by wicked ure,  
So soils our souls as they can have no cure.  
So that by this metamorphosis we are become more odorous to God than the devil himself: for the devil by cre●●tion was more beautiful than we: it was sin that defo●●med him, and that sin that made him odious, makes us detestable: for our sins are worse than his, and we not so good as he: for his sin was one, & ours are infinite: he sinned before the stipend of sin was known, ours after notice & experience of it: he sinned created in innocency, we sin restored unto it: he persisted in malice being of God rejected, we continued in hatred against him that recalled us: his heart was hardened against him that punished him, ours obdurate against him that allureth us. So that our case is now such as infinite goodness detesteth, and infinite love cannot condole. The earth was created for a place of pleasure, the air was created temperate, creatures were made to be obedient to man, all things framed to his best content: but see how sin hath transformed pleasure into plagues, famine and murders many in number, grievous in quality, and ordinary in experience, which indeed are but Initia dolori● for the damned suffer death without death, decay without decay, envy without envy; for their death ever liveth: their end ever beginneth, and their decay never ceaseth, but are always healed to be new wounded, dying but never dead, repaired only to be new decayed.   

CHAP. VI The union of Mercy and justice.  
THere be two feet whereon God walketh on the hearts of men; Mercy and Truth, which a sinner must fall down with Marie and kiss, that in respect of God's justice we may retain fear, and in regard of his Mercy conceive hope: for all the ways of God are Mercy and Truth; Mercy, that we may not despair, and Truth, that we may not presume.  
OH who shall show the countenance and gestures,  
Of Mercy and justice, which fair sacred sisters  
With equal poise do ever balance even,  
Th'unchanging projects of the king of heaven?  
Th'one stern of look, th' other mild aspecting,  
Th'one pleased with tears, th'other blood affecting.  
Th'one bears the sword of vengeance unrelenting,  
Th'other brings pardon for the true repenting.  
Because God is merciful, wilt thou build a nest of sin, as the Psalmist saith, upon his back? thou canst not sever his Mercy from his justice, and then justice will sentence, Tarditatem poenae, gravitate supplicij. Is God a just God, a terrible God, into whose hands it is a horrible thing to fall? Thou canst not separate his justice from his Mercy: she will proclaim Misericordiam Dei super omnia opera sua, his mercy exalteth herself above his judgements, Vult enim omnes homines saluos sieri. He that can that he will, will not the death of one sinner, but that he may turn from his wickedness and live for ever: he offereth his mercy to all, but never useth his justice but upon necessity. I will sing unto thee, o Lord, mercy and truth together, not mercy alone, as not fearing thy judgements, nor truth alone, as despairing in thy mercies: but thy mercies shall breed a love, and thy judgements shall make me fear to impath myself in the way of sinners.  
For hope of help still comfort gives,  
While Mercy still with justice lives.   

CHAP. VII. jugum meum suaue.  
IT is well observed by one, That the rod of the root of jesse flowered, that the sweetness of the flower might mitigate the severity of the the rod. The devil is never suffered to punish us farther than is for our benefit: for either he corrects us ●or our former offences, or else to prevent our future infirmities. Neither is every one that spareth, a friend, nor every one that striketh an enemy: but the words of a friend are better than the flatter of a foe, and he that loves with austerity, is better than he that kills with delicacy. It is the devils common course to kill our soul, while he flatters our fancy. For as the thief that can not by open violence catch his booty, seeketh by shrouding himself in valleys and bushes to take the travelers unprovided: so the devil, when by open pursuit he can not prevail, he coutcheth himself in briars and shadows of worldly vanities, entrapping us before we prevent his trains. For albeit with a smooth flight and even wing he lessen himself into the clouds, as an eagle delighted to view the sun: yet is he but a ravening kite, soaring in the air, the better to see how to seize upon his prey. God borroweth not the Sirens voice, when he would sting with a Scorpion's tail, and when he bites with the tooth of a lion, he useth not the tears of a crocodile, but as the husbandman lops his vine lest the juice should be spent in leaves: so lest our minds should be employed in vain and superfluous pleasures; our wits which without profit would be diffused, are by him kept in compass by tribulation. For where he purposeth to heal, he spareth not to lance: and if he see thou be fostered by the world thy natural nurse, he can anoint her teat with the bitterness of discontent, to wean thee from her: for he that binds the frantic, and awakes the lethargy, is troublesome, but friendly to both.  
If aught can touch us aught, afflictions looks  
Makes us to look into ourselves so near,  
Teach us to know ourselves beyond all books,  
Or all the learned schools that ever were.  
This makes our senses quick, and reason clear,  
Resolves our will, and rectifies our thoughts,  
So do the winds and thunder cleanse the air,  
So lopped and pruned tries do flourish fair.  
Be not discouraged; thou art a Christian, whose captain is a Crucifix, whose standard the Cross, whose armour Patience, whose battle Persecution, whose victory Death. Whether God fostreth thee as a weakling, or exercise thee as one stronger, or check thee as one unruly; yet he tendereth all as his own children. Behold thy Saviour with his head full of thorns, his eyes full of tears, his ears full or blasphemies, his mouth full of gall, his body full of wounds, his heart full of sorrow; and blame him not, if ere thou found him, he give thee a sip of the chalice whereof be drunk so full a cup. Thy love must be great, when his sorrow is more at thy ingratitude, then at his own affliction, when he lost himself to win thee: a work without example, a grace beyond merit, a charity surpassing measure. Wherefore whether he set thee to seek him in the poverty of the crib and manger, or in the agony of his bloody sweat in the garden, or in the midst of reproaches and false accusations before the tribunal, or in the torments of a shameful death; yet think thyself as deep in his favour fo● being tried by the torments of his passion, as those that ar● called by the testimony of his glorious transfiguration.   

CHAP. VIII. That fear to die is the effect of an evil life.  
Johannes Patriarch of Alexandria, whose frequent deeds of charity gave him this Ep●●thete, to be called johannes Eleemosynarit● having his tomb in building, gave his people in charge, that it should be left unfin●●shed, and that every day one should 〈◊〉 him in mind to perfect it. His meaning was, that by th● means having his thoughts fixed of the door of death, 〈◊〉 might the better prepare himself for the passage throu●● it. The Pope that day he is chosen, hath one comes to 〈◊〉 with four marble stones, as patterns to choose of which his tumble shall be built. He that raketh up virtue in the ashes of the memory of death, shall find her force so uni●ed, that when they come to be unraked, they shall find that her heat will so encourage us, that when our soul fin●eth a vent to mount up to her natural Sphere, she will ●lame in the firmament, and shine most oriently to our excessive comfort, and her Creator's inestimable glory: for he whose life was a study to die, well knows that death hath ●ost his tartness by passing through the veins of life: he ●earess not his cold sweats, nor foregoing gripes, but taketh ●hem as throws in childbed, by which our soul is ●rought out of a loathsome body into eternal felicity. He ●earess not the devils, whose temptations he hath valiantly ●esisted: the grave is no horror to him, for he knows he ●wes the body in corruption to reap it again in immor●litie. He that liveth well, shall make a good end, and in ●he day of death his decease shall be blessed, for he rest●om his labours, and his works do follow him. But to him ●●at liveth ill, death is an ever dying death: he lies tormented with the pangs of the dying flesh, amazed with the corrosive fits of the mind, frighted with terror of that is ● come, grieved with remorse of that which is past, stung ●●th the gnawing of a guilty conscience, terrified with the rigour of a severe judge, vexed with approach of a loathsome sepulchre. They made their prison their paradise, their belly their God, their appetite their guide: so sowing sin, they reap misery, trafficking vanities, they gain grief: detestable was their life, and damnable is their decease.   
Absit mihi gloriari nisi in Christo. 
CHAP. IX. That affliction is the coat of a Christian.  
IF we be Christians, asfliction is our coat, and the Cross our cognizance, In hoc signo vinces: Christ's clouts comfort not those that walk in side robes. The stable and manger are no refresh to such as love the highest rooms in the Synagogue. Our ark lieth not in papilionibus, but in praesepio. If we be members of that head which was pricked with thorns, let the rest of the parts sympathise with it: let the Mount calvary be our school, the cross our pulpit, the crucifix our meditation, his wounds our letters, his lashes our commaes, his nails our full-points, his open side our book, and Scire Christum crucifixum, our whole lesson. By his nakedness, learn to cloth thee; by his crown of thorns, how to adorn thee; by his vinegar and gall, how to diet thee; by his praying for him murderers, how to revenge thee; by his hanging on the cross, how to ●epose thee. here learn, that death reviveth, sorrow solaceth, an eclipse enlighteneth; that out of the devourer there came meat, and out of the stronger issueth sweetness. And since our sins (like fierce Samsons) have murdered the lion of the tribe of juda, let our repentant thoughts (like bees) suck at the flowers of his passion, and make honey to delight ourselves and provoke others. Let us seek Christ, not inter cognatos & natos, nor with the spouse in the Canticles, in lectulo meo quaesivi quem amavi, nor with them in Osee, that look him in gregibus & armentis; but seek him with Moses in the desert, with Daniel in a fiery throne. His delight is to see Nineue in sackcloth, job on the dunghill; he expects a perfect demonstration of a serviceable mind, for an Eamus & nos, ut moriamur cum illo: for loss of felicity searcheth the force of affection. It is neither prosperity that tries a friend, nor adversity that concealeth an enemy. This is that true God that chief life, in whom, by whom, and from whom all things do flow, from whom to revolt is to fall, to whom to return is to rise, in whom to stay is to stand sure, from whom to departed is to die, to whom to repair is to revive, in whom to devil is to live: that God whom none loseth but deceived, none seeketh but admonished, none findeth but are cleansed, what ever is not of God is not good: give me thyself, & take all things else from me.   

CHAP. X. A theme to think on.  
COnsidera, o homo, Quid es in natura, Quis in persona, Qualis in vita. Consider, o man, what thou art in nature, who thou art in person, what an one thou art in life: for thou art not in nature as a stone having only being, nor as a plant having only being and growing, nor as a brute having only being, growing, and sense; but as a man who to these imperfections hath the perfection of a living soul added.  
This soul's a substance and a real thing,  
Which hath itself an actual work in night,  
But neither from the senses power doth spring,  
Nor from the body's humours tempered right:  
It God himself doth in the body make,  
And man from this the name of man doth take.  
And the same God that created thee of nothing, preserves thee from all things that might annoyed thee; gives thee health and plenty, and subjecteth all things to thy service, that thou mightst serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of thy life: for if God had not created thee, thou hadst not been at all: if Christ had not redeemed thee, the devil had dejected thee in the fall of Adam: if the Holy Ghost should not comfort thee, thou couldst not be preserved as thou art. Since therefore thou art Gods by creation, redemption, and preservation, look what time thou bestowest out of his service, thou stealest from him who made it for thee to serve him in it, and art a thief. If thou b●est more enamoured of any of these blessings which he bestows on thee to win thy love, than of himself, who shows his love in bestowing them on thee, thou committest idolatry, and art an idolater. If thou bestowest good hours in ill actions, or great blessings to bad purposes, thou committest treason, and art a traitor.  
He that prefers not God fore all his race,  
Among the sons of God deserves no place.  
Tui poe est benè natis male vivere, & plantatis benè peiùs fructificare. Thou art created after his own image; make no impression unworthy that character. Pulchra siut oportet quae ex eius animo procedunt, qui in Dei habitaculum est praeparandus. Thy soul is the temple of the Holy Ghost, thou must not pollute it with brutish appetites, but prepare it with gracious meditations, most fitting food wherewithal to entertain so heavenly a guest. He hath made thee in person erect, that he might put thee in mind to rectify thy thoughts and actions. OH level thy life to the straightness of the line of thine own portraiture. Stain not the beauty of thy parts, jest thou sustain misery in this life with the loss of eternal life: for the stipend of sin is death, and the merit of transgression is eternal perdition.   

CHAP. XI. Morning Meditation, with sixteen sobs of a sorrowful spirit, which she used for mental prayer, as also an addition of sixteen staves of verse taken out of Peter's complaint; which she usually sung and played on the wind instrument.  
Happy is the man whose life is a continual prayer.  
OH God to whom nothing is so great as can resist, nothing so little as is contemptible: OH Christ the guide of those that seek thee, the light of those that find thee: OH Holy Ghost that both fillest and includest all things; I am ashamed to be seen of thee, because I am not assured to be received by thee, having neither deserved pardon for my faults, nor participation of thy glory: yet sweet jesus supply my defects, that by thy mercy I may obtain remission, and by thy merits deserve salvation. Let thy passion work compassion for me, 
A sorry wight the object of disgrace,  
The monument of fear, the map of shame,  
The mirror of mishap, the stain of place,  
The scorn of time, the infamy of fame,  
An excrement of earth to heaven hateful,  
Injurious to man, to God ungrateful.   
LOrd, I am depressed with the burden of my sins, and oppressed with the fear of the punishment belonging to them; having neither power to resist thy wrath, nor patience to endure thy indignation: wherefore I am becomes as it doth become me, thy humbie suppliant. Lord be merciful to me a sinner. My abject countenance witnesseth my distressed mind, my words are seasoned with sighs, and bathed with tears. OH let the dew of my devotion be drawn up with the beams of thy remorse: for behold, as a hunger▪ starved beggar do I knock at thy gate, ò honourable householder. Open, o open the gates of thy mercies, to the greatness of my miseries.  
Sad subject of my sin hath stored my mind,  
With everlasting matter of complaint:  
My throws an endless alphabet do find,  
Beyond the pangs that jeremy doth paint.  
That eyes with errors may just measure keep:  
Most tears I wish that have most cause to weep.  
Preserve my body from eternal death, reserve my soul from everlasting damnation: let me neither ungratefully remember thy benefits, nor ungraciously forget thy severe judgements: for albeit, there be no folly which hath not had his seat in my mind, and left his footstep in my actions; yet for that thou lookest for my amendment, that I may have thy favour, grant me thy favour that I may have amendment.  
Give vent unto the vapours of my breast,  
That thicken in the brims of cloudy eyes,  
Where sin was hatched let tears now wash the nest.  
Where life was lost, recover life wit 〈…〉  
My trespass foul, let not my tear 〈…〉 off  
baptize my spotted soul in weeping due humours ●.  
Conform my life, confirm my faith, endue my soul with thy love, subdue my flesh with thy fear: Let me not dieere I begin to live: give me time to repent, & occasion to amend: direct my reason: regenerate my will: lead my desires, that I may seek thee: illuminate my understanding, that I may find thee: let my joy be in enjoying thee, in whom desire wants no satiety, nor satiety breeds discontent.  
For gripes in all my parts do never fail:  
Whose only league, is now in bartering pains:  
What I engross, they traffic by retail:  
Making each others misery their gains:  
All bound for ever apprentices to care,  
Whilst I in shop of shame trade sorrows ware.  
LEt thy majesty appear in thy mercy, cover my sins, and I am recovered of my infirmities: for my conscience accuseth me, my memory gives evidence against me, and my reason condemneth me. Convert o Lord, convert my life, and divert my punishment.  
My guilty eye still seems to see my sin:  
All things characters are to spell my fall.  
What eye doth read without heart rues within:  
What heart doth rue to pensive thought is gall,  
Which when my thought would by my tongue digest,  
My ears convey it back into my breast.  
Out of a maze of amazements do I cry out unto thee, o God my Saviour and Redeemer: Grant, o Lord, that I may firmly resolve, speedily begin, constantly continued in performing thy will: let me honour thee as a Creator, love thee as a Redeemer, expect thee as a Saviour: for by thy goodness I was created, by thy mercy redeemed, by thy power preserved, and by thy grace I shall be glorified. Grant, o 〈…〉 God, that wast mademan, that men might 〈…〉 the sons of God, that I may live in thy fear, 〈…〉 our, rest in thy peace, rise in thy power, remain in thy glory for ever and ever.  
For life's a maze of countless straying ways:  
Open to erring steps, and strewed with baits:  
To wind weak senses into endless strays,  
A loof from virtues rough unbeaten straits,  
A flower, a play, a blast, a shade, a dream,  
A living death, a never turning stream.  
Gracious God, whose honour is more in saving through pity, then in condemning through judgement, thou that canst mitigate griefs present, and canst turn away dangers to come: pardon, I beseech thee, my sins past, aid me against all temptations to come, and I shall praise thy name for ever and ever.  
Else weeping eyes resign your tears to me,  
A sea will scantly rinse my ordured soul.  
Huge horrors in high tides must drowned be.  
Of every tear my crime exacteth toll.  
My stains are deep: few drops take out none such,  
Even salve with sore, and most is not too much.  
GOod Lord, make me covet those things that be pleasing to thee, let me find them easily, and search them wisely, know them truly, and exercise them effectually, to thy glory and my salvation. Dispose the course of my life, that it may accomplish that which thou requirest: Lay forth thy passions that I may feel them; satisfy me in thy mercies, that I may rejoice in them: remove from me all lets to serve thee, and give me those things that may draw me to thee: instruct my judgement, rule my affections according to thy will, in the depth of thy mercies confounded the devices of my enemies against me.  
Jest shame the livery of offending mind,  
The ugly shroud that over shadoweth blame,  
The mulct at which foul faults are justly fined,  
The damp of sin, the common sluice of fame,  
By which impostumed tongues their humours purge,  
Do light on me: for I deserve thy scourge.  
LOrd thou hast delivered me out of the jaws of death and redeemed my ●oule out of the gates of perdition sanctify my life, that it may be a witness of my thankfulness; let my memory be a record to show thy goodness so shall my lips show forth thy praise, and my heart shall be possessed with the glory of thy greatness.  
For fawning vipers, dumble till they had wounded,  
With many mouths do now upbraid my harms:  
My sight was veiled, till I myself confounded,  
But now I see the disinchanted charms,  
Now can I cut th' anatomy of sin,  
And search with Lynx's eyes what lies within.  
Give me, o Lord, sorrow for my sins, thankfulness for thy benefits, fear of thy judgements, and love of thy mercies: give me an understanding heart, that I may conceive a right love of thy law, that I may desire to perform it, strength of thy spirit that I may have power to execute it: and because by thy grace I am that I am, let thy demands be no greater than thou hast given me grace to perform. Lord give what thou commandest, and then command what thou wilt: let the greatness of thy mercies supply the wants of my miseries: that my heart may rejoice in the Lord, and thy saving health may be known among all nations.  
OH beams of mercy beaten on sorrows cold,  
power suppling showers on my parched ground,  
Bring forth the fruit of your due service vowed,  
Let good desires with like deserts be crowned,  
Water young blooming virtues tender flower,  
Sin did all grace of viper growth devour.  
Have mercy upon me, o Lord, have mercy upon me, according to the multitude of thy mercies, do away ●hy offences: wash me from my wickedness, and cleanse me ●rom my secret sins: for I acknowledge my faults, and my sins have made me odious to myself. Be merciful, ● Lord, be merciful unto thy servant, and let not the gates ●f hell prevail against him: for though the stipend of his ●●nne is death, and the merit of his transgression eternal perdition; yet is thy mercy above all thy works, and thou canst forgive more, than he could offend: thou that wilt not the death of a sinner, deny not the request of a repentant sinner: thou which hast given me repentance, which is the seal of forgiveness, grant me forgiveness, which is the assurance of repentance.  
If David night by night did bathe his bed,  
Esteeming longest days too short to moon:  
Inconsolable tears if Anna shed,  
Who in her son her solace had foregone:  
Then I to days, to months, to weeks, to years,  
Do own the hourly rent of stintless tears.  
Out of the depth of my soul do I cry unto thee, Lord put me not to rebuke in thine anger; let not thine hand ●resse me, neither chasten me in thy displeasure; for I confess my wickedness, and am sorry for my sin; suffer not my name to be touched with dishonour, neither give me over to be clothed in rebuke: cleanse my heart from corrupt thoughts, and purge my mouth from all uncleanness, and impath me in that course that is best pleasing to thee.  
Christ health of fevered soul, heaven of the mind,  
Force of the feeble, nurse of infant loves,  
Guide to the wandering foot, light to the blind,  
Whom weeping wins, repentant sorrow moves,  
Father in care, mother in tender heart,  
Revive and save me slain with sinful dart.  
PRaise the Lord, o my soul, o let all that is within me praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, o my soul, and let not the lest of his benefits be forgotten: for he hath delivered thy body from death, and thy soul hath he redeemed out of the estate of damnation: for he hath created thee after his own image, and breathed a living soul into thee, to praise his name for ever and ever: for his providence hath preserved thee, his strength defended thee, his mercy comforted thee, and his grace shall glorify thee. OH therefore praise his holy name; OH let all that is within me sing praises to my God, my Saviour and Redeemer.  
Lazar at pity's gate I ulcered lie,  
Craving the refuse crumbs of children's plate.  
My sores I lay in view to mercy's eye:  
My rags bear witness of my poor estate.  
The worms of conscience that within me swarm,  
Prove that my plaints are less than is my harm,  
Give me, o Lord, an understanding heart, that I may have a true feeling of the greatness of thy benefits, instruct thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise: for my heart desireth to have her love known, and my spirit rejoiceth in God my Saviour: I will magnify thy holy name, for thou hast heard my voice, and not suffered my foes to triumph over me: thou hast relieved my wants, and given me plenty when I was in necessity. I will lift up my hands unto the king of glory, even unto his mercy's sea● from whence is my redemption; for I know the weakness of our flesh, and acknowledge there is no help that comes not from above.  
Prove looks, crossed arms, bend knee, and contrite heart,  
Deep sighs, thick sobs, dewed eyes, and prostrate prayers,  
Most humbly beg release of earned smart,  
And saving shroud in mercies sweet repairs:  
If justice should my wrongs with rigour wage,  
Fears would despairs, ruth breed a hopeless rage.  
I Give thee thanks, o most merciful father, for all thy benefits bestowed upon me, desiring thee long to continued them, and to make me thankful for them: direct the words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart, the actions of my body, that they may be pleasing to thee, and profitable for me: Lord hear my voice, accept this my sacrifice of thanksgiving, which thy bountiful goodness hath extorted. Let not the world, the flesh, nor the devil prevail against me, but let thy gracious spirit conquer them in all my conflicts. Lord I have reposed my whole trust in thee, let no: thy servant be put to confusion.  
With mildness jesus measure my offence,  
Let true remorse thy due revenge abate,  
Let tears appease when trespass doth incense,  
Let pity temper thy deserved hate,  
Let grace forgive, let love forget my fall:  
With fear I crave, in hope I humbly call.  
LOrd, though I can neither praise thee as becometh me, nor pray to thee as I aught to do; yet accept I beseech thee, these my halting speeches brokenly uttered, as an oblation for my most grievous offences: look upon me in thy mercies, and let the blood of that immaculate lamb Christ jesus, stand betwixt me and thy judgements. Lord, into thy hands do I commend my soul, and my body into thy custody, Lord jesus receive them: Lord bless me and all that belongs unto me from this time forth for evermore. Sweet jesus sanctify my life, & bless me with sorrow for my sins, thankfulness for thy benefits, fear of thy judgements, love of thy mercies, mindfulness of thy presence, that living in thy fear, I may die in thy favour, rest in thy peace, rise in thy power, remain in thy glory for ever and ever.  
Redeem my lapse with ransom of thy love,  
Travers th'indictment, rigours doom suspend,  
Let frailty favour, sorrow succour move.  
Be thou thyself, though changeling I offend,  
Tender my suit, cleanse this defiled den,  
Cancel my debts sweet jesus say Amen.   

CHAP. XII. A Madrigal made by Berny Grymeston upon the conceit of his mother's play to the former ditties.  
HOw many pipes, as many sounds  
Do still impart to your sons heart  
As many deadly wounds.  
How many strokes, as many stounds,  
Each stroke a dart, each stound a smart,  
Poor Captive me confounds.  
And yet how often the strokes of sounding keys hath slain,  
As often the looks of your kind eyes restores my life again.   

CHAP. XIII. Evening Meditation. Odes in imitation of the seven penitential Psalms, in seven several kind of verse.  

Domine exaudi orationem meam.  

VOuchsafe admit thy gracious ears,  
With mild regard for to attend  
The prayers, that a plaining heart  
With sorrowing sighs to thee doth sand:  
And let thereto, oh loving Lord,  
Thy justice and thy Truth accord.   

In rigour of thy righteous doom,  
OH do not scan thy servants cause:  
For there is none on earth alive,  
Through faultless life freed from thy laws.  
Then how may I in sinful plight,  
Seem just in thy all-seeing sight!   

The friend of sin, the foe of souls,  
down to the earth my soul hath brought,  
Which to the heaven should aspire,  
Since from the heaven it was wrought:  
OH raise it up again to bliss,  
From earth and all that earthly is.   

Amids the dark misled am I,  
Where lack of light sins view denies:  
I live a life more like to death,  
While dead from grace my body lies,  
And where as care through secret smart  
Sends anguish to afflict my heart.   

But I (o Lord) recall to mind  
What thou hast done in time before,  
And how thy justice hath been great,  
But how thy Mercy hath been more.  
Thus hope of help still comfort gives,  
While Mercy still with justice lives.   

My stretched hands to thee display  
The ensigns of my yielding heart:  
My soul, as earth that water wants,  
Of virtues fruit can bear no part.  
I faint, sand some relief of rain,  
Jest else unfruitful I remain.   

Thy face of pity, not of wrath,  
Turn not, o loving Lord, from me:  
And let not, Lord, my own misdeeds  
Have lasting force to anger thee:  
For so might I compare my case  
To theirs that furthest fall from grace.   

But since my hope is firm in thee,  
Let me betimes thy mercy have,  
The way of health make known to me,  
My feet from erring paths to save.  
Only to thee my soul retires:  
Only thy mercy it desires.   

OH free me from my sinful foes,  
To thee I fly to be secure,  
Teach me the lesson of thy will,  
And let me put it well in ure.  
Thou art my God, and God of all  
That for thy aid and comfort call.   

Thou wilt vouchsafe to me, o Lord,  
Thy Holy Spirit to be my guide,  
My faith and hope in thee is such,  
And such it ever shall ab●de.  
Revive thou wilt me for thy name:  
Goodness in thee requires the same.   

So that at last by thee, o God,  
My soul from bale to bliss be brought;  
And that in mercy thou subvert  
All those my soul's destruction sought:  
And force of foes destroyed may be,  
And made safe for serving thee.   

All glory be to thee, o God  
The Father of eternal might,  
And to the Son and Holy ghost,  
Three man undivided plight,  
As now it is, and was of yore,  
And shall endure for evermore.    

De profundis clamavi ad te Domine.  

EVen from the depth of woes,  
Wherein my soul remains,  
To thee in supreme bliss,  
OH Lord, that highest reigns,  
I do both call and cry.   

It's deep heart sorrows force,  
That moves me thus to wail:  
It's pity Lord in thee,  
Must make it to avail.  
Thy ears therefore apply.   

If strictly thou, o Lord,  
Observed hast my sin,  
Alas, what shall I do?  
What case then am I in,  
If rigour thou extend?   

But well, o Lord, I know  
Sweet Mercy dwells with thee:  
And with thy justice than  
It must expected be:  
And I therefore attend.   

My soul doth wait on thee,  
Thy grace confirms my trust,  
My warrant is thy word,  
Thou keepest promise' just:  
Keep me, o Lord, secure.   

Let thy afflicted flock  
Comfort in thee retain,  
From dawning day to night,  
From night to day again  
Let still their hope endure.   

There is with our good God  
Much mercy still in store  
Redemption doth remain  
With him for evermore.  
Abundant is his grace.   

His people he afflicts  
He will not leave distressed,  
The thralled he will free  
With ease of their unrest,  
〈…〉 deface▪   

All glory be therefore,  
OH Father, unto thee,  
And so unto the Son  
The like great glory be,  
And to the Holy Ghost,   

Such as it wonted was  
Before the world began,  
Such as now yet it is,  
And ever shall remain,  
Above all glory most.    

Domine exaudi orationem meam.  

OH Let, o Lord, thine ears inclined be  
To hear the prayers that I make to thee:  
And my heart's grief that breaketh forth in cries,  
OH let it have the power to pierce the skies.   

Turn not from me thy favourable face,  
What day or hour I am in heavy case:  
But when I call to thee in my distress,  
OH hear me, Lord, and sand me soon redress.   

My days and years, alas with little gain,  
Like unto smoke, how are they passed in vain!  
My forces, Lord, how are they parched and dry!  
Devotions lack yields moisture no supply.   

The blasted grass my image now can show,  
My withered heart confirms that it is so,  
And I forgotten have, unto my grief,  
To eat the bread of my soul's best relief.   

And my too much regard of earthly care,  
Before myself for grace I could prepare,  
Made reason to abandon reason quite,  
And to affliction fast itself unite.   

But now, o Lord, since that I now begin  
To see myself, and know the shame of sin;  
From earthly train I will retire my mind,  
Thee will I seek my saving health to find.   

In desert like as lives the Pelicane,  
Or as the Crow that doth day light refrain,  
Or chirping Sparrow sitting all alone,  
I shroud, I watch, retired I make my moan.   

But while, OH Lord, I do endure this life,  
Expecting peace, by fleeing worldly strife,  
Old friends I find become new noisome foes,  
OH love me Lord, for loss of love of those.   

My penance not restrained through scorn of these,  
My food I take with ashes and with tears,  
The more I fear jest thou on me shouldst frown,  
That canst me raise, and raising cast me down.   

My days decline as doth a shadow pass,  
And I as hay that whilom was as grass:  
But thou from age to age shalt ever be,  
Then evermore, o Lord, forget not me.   

Vouchsafe, o Lord, in puissance to arise,  
To raise thy Zion that depressed lies:  
Now is the time, the time doth now expire,  
It mercy wants, and mercy doth desire.   

This glorious work was first begun by thee:  
Thy servants erst were glad the stones to see:  
And they will grieve with hearts afflicted care,  
If so the ruins thou dost not repair.   

But when, o Lord, thy works shall show thy fame,  
The faithless people than shall fear thy name,  
And earthly kings shall bend their glory down  
At thy celestial glory and renown.   

Because thy Church, thy Zion, thou didst build,  
Where thou wouldst ever have thy honour held,  
And hast not unregarded heard the plaint  
Of faithful folk, thralled in untruths restraint.   

And that no time, remembrance may impair  
Of thy maintained work and mercy rare:  
Let people now, for people to ensue,  
Thy praise record, thy praises to renew.   

For from high heaven to this low earthly place,  
From bliss to bale our Lord inclines his face,  
The groans to hear, the grieved to release,  
To free from thrall, to make affliction cease.   

The more may Zion now sound forth his fame,  
jerusalem his praises may proclaim,  
Wherein his Church, his people do accord,  
And where as kings are subjects to their Lord   

Who may, OH Lord, the dateless days relate,  
That of all ages overpass the date?  
It's thou to us hast put appointed space,  
OH stop not me ere half I run my race.   

These elements by alteration strange  
Shall changed be, and so remain in change:  
But thou, o Lord, that workest all at thy will,  
Wast erst the same, the same remaining still.   

Vouchsafe, o Lord, their offspring to preserve,  
That thee in fear, and faith, and love do serve,  
And in thy ways directed to remain,  
A lasting life in lasting bliss to gain.   

Unto the Father, Son and holy Ghost,  
All praise and glory be ascribed most,  
As here before the world begun,  
And as it now, and ever shall be done.    

Miserere mei Deus.  

Have mercy o good God on me  
in greatness of thy grace,  
OH let thy mercies manifold  
my many faults deface.   

Fowl, filthy, loathsome, ugly sin  
hath so defiled me,  
With streams of pity wash me clean,  
else clean I cannot be.   

Too well my foul unclensed crimes  
Remembrance do renew,  
Too plain in anguish of my heart  
they stand before my view.   

To thee alone, o Lord, to thee  
these evils I have done,  
And in thy presence, woe is me,  
that ere they were begun.   

But since thou pardon promisest  
where hearts true ruth is shown;  
Show now thy mercies unto me,  
to make thy justness known.   

That such as do infringe thy grace,  
be made ashamed, and shent,  
As rife thy mercies to behold,  
as sinners to repent.   

With favour view my foul defects:  
in crimes I did begin:  
My nature bad, my mother frail,  
conceived I was in sin.   

But since thyself effectest truth,  
and truth at self is Thee;  
I truly hope to have thy grace  
from sin to set me free.   

Since to the faithful thou before  
the secret science gave,  
Whereby to know what thou wouldst spend,  
the sinful world to save.   

Whose heavenly Hyssop sacred drops.  
shall me besprinkle so,  
That it my sinne-defiled soul  
shall wash more white than snow.   

OH when my ears receive the sound  
of such my soul's release,  
How do sin laden limbs rejoice,  
at hearts true joys increase!   

From my misdeeds retire thy sight,  
view not so foul a slain,  
First wipe away my spots impure,  
then turn thy face again.   

A clean and undefiled heart,  
o God, created in me:  
Let in me, Lord, of righteousness  
a spirit infused be.   

From that most glorious face of thine  
o cast me not away,  
Thy holy Ghost vouchsafe, o God,  
With me that it may stay.   

The joy of thy salvation, Lord,  
restore to me again,  
And with the spirit of graces chief,  
confirm it to remain.   

That when at thy most gracious hand  
my suits received be,  
The impious I may instruct  
how they may turn to thee.   

For when, o Lord, I am released  
from vengeance and from blood,  
How joyful shall I speak of thee,  
so gracious and so good!   

Thou, Lord, wilt give me leave to speak,  
and I thy praise will show:  
For so thy graces do require  
thou dost on me bestow.   

If thou sin offerings hadst desired,  
as wont were to be,  
How gladly those for all my ills,  
I would have yielded thee!   

But thou accepts in sacrifice  
a sorrowing soul for sin,  
Despising not the heart contrite,  
and humbled mind within▪   

Deal graciously, o loving Lord,  
in thy free bounty will  
With Zion thy dear spouse on earth,  
and fortify it still.   

That so thou mayest thence receive  
that sovereign sacrifice,  
From altar of all faithful hearts,  
devoutly where it lies.   

To thee, o Father, glory be,  
and glory to the Son,  
And glory to the holy Ghost  
eternally be done.    

Domine ne in furore.  

A mids the fury, my dear Lord,  
rebuke not me,  
Nor let thy chastisement befall,  
when wrathful thou shalt be.   

Thy arrows in myself I feel  
already stand.  
I see, o Lord, thou fixed haste  
at me thy aiming hand.   

Within myself (o woe is me)  
no health I find,  
Through fear and terror of thy face,  
that seems to wrath inclined.   

My very bones disturbed be,  
go is their peace,  
My own beholding of my sins,  
doth work my woes increase.   

And as my sins surmounting are,  
I must confess,  
So are they mounted on my head,  
and heavy me oppress.   

My crimes forepast and pardoned,  
like stars remain,  
That putrified break out anew,  
because I sin again.   

A woeful wretch am I become,  
crooked I grow,  
Each day I wail, and while I live,  
I will continued so.   

My members by illusions led  
me so restrain,  
My healthless body is unapt  
true virtue to retain.   

By great affliction I am brought  
exceeding low;  
Be moved, Lord, through my loud groans,  
thy mercies to bestow.   

My suits, o Lord, tend all to thee,  
thou knowest my case;  
My plaints and penance, Lord, accept,  
that so I may have grace.   

Within myself my silly heart  
is vexed still,  
My force is lost, my sight I lack  
to see and shun my ill.   

In my displeasing thee, o Lord,  
right well I see,  
My friends are foes, my life is sought,  
and force is wrought on me.   

They wish my ill, and speak my scorn;  
and when they smile,  
Their hate admits no time of stay  
to study fraud and guile.   

But I, alas, with patience priest  
must all forbear,  
Like to the dumb, and seeming deaf,  
I neither speak nor bear.   

And for because, o gracious God,  
I trust in thee,  
Thou wilt, I know, my loving Lord,  
give care and aid to me.   

Let not, OH Lord, my foes prevail,  
jest they rejoice,  
Sigh scarce my feet I may remove,  
but they advance their voice.   

Of my misdeeds I am prepared  
to bear the smart:  
Still is my sin before my sight,  
and sorrow in my heart.   

I will revolve my faults forepast  
amids my mind,  
And those I truly will confess,  
that I may mercy find.   

Hate hath confirmed on me my foes,  
in wrongful wise,  
And still they live, and do increase,  
whose envy never dies.   

They yield me ill that gave them good,  
and me defy,  
Because I goodness would ensue,  
from which they seek to fly.   

Forsake me not, OH Lord my God,  
in state distressed;  
Be ready, Lord, to my relief,  
my life in thee doth rest.   

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost  
all glory be,  
From former endless date to dure  
to all eternity.    

Beati quorum remissae sunt.  

OH How much blest may they remain,  
That pardon for their guilt obtain,  
And whose great ill, and each offence,  
Lies hid in contrite penitence!   

What happy state may he be in,  
To whom our Lord imputes no sin,  
Whose conscience doth no guile retain,  
That can himself beguile again▪   

I did my sins in silence hold,  
In grief whereof my bones grew old:  
Mean while my days in plaints of pain,  
Without redress, I spent in vain.   

But when, OH Lord, thy heavy hand  
No day or night I could withstand,  
But that in anguish overworn,  
My conscience pricked as with a thorn:   

Lo then, OH Lord, I did begin  
To utter all my secret sin,  
No longer list I aught conceal,  
But each in justice to reveal.   

Against myself, I said, will I  
My wrongs confess, and faults defy:  
To thee, OH Lord, OH Lord to thee,  
That hast from all absolved me.   

And since I thus thy mercies find,  
Let each of good and godly mind  
Approach to thee in happy time,  
To pray for pardon of his crime.   

For such as so do sink in sin,  
That still they plunged lie therein,  
Unable are of thee to gain  
What contrite sinners can obtain.   

OH Lord, my refuge rests in thee,  
When troubles do environ me:  
OH free me then, my freedoms joy,  
From such as seek me to annoyed.   

Great comforts, Lord, I do conceive,  
Thou me thy servant wilt not leave:  
But wilt instruct and guide me right,  
And keep me ever in thy sight.   

OH ye that careless are of grace,  
Behold, and see your brutish case,  
And be not as the horse and mule,  
That live devoid of reasons rule.   

And thou, OH Lord, in mercies rife,  
Vouchsafe restrain their straying life,  
With bit and bridle make them stay,  
That unto thee will not obey.   

Since that for those of sinful trade  
Full many scourges there be made,  
Well's him that doth in God repose,  
Whose mercies may his soul enclose.   

Be therefore joyful in our Lord,  
All that to righteousness accord;  
Let each with gladness bear his part,  
That hath a pure and perfect heart.   

All glory be, OH Lord, to thee,  
And to thy Son in like degree,  
As also to the Holy Ghost  
Perpetual and enduring most.    

Domine ne in furore.  

WHen my misdeeds, o God,  
may thee to anger move,  
Amids the rigour of thy rage,  
vouchsafe me not reprove.   

Nor when for my offences  
thy chastisement must be,  
In thy displeasure, o dear Lord,  
let it not light on me.   

Thy mercy's Lord I crave,  
of strength I am bereft;  
OH salve the soreness, that my sin  
upon my bones hath left.   

My much aggrieved soul,  
my sorrows doth abound:  
How long, OH Lord, shall they endure,  
or comfort be unfound?   

OH turn thyself to me,  
and rid my soul of pain,  
Even for thy mercies which exceed,  
and ever do remain.   

OH hasten thee, OH Lord,  
to save and set me free:  
Among the dead (to their avail)  
there's none can think on thee.   

And in the depth of hell,  
where there is no redress,  
Who is it that will give thee praise,  
or unto thee confess?   

My sigh for my sins  
have passed in painful wise,  
And I each night will wash my bed  
with tears of wailing eyes.   

My sight is vexed with fear  
of fury in thy rage,  
OH that my sins must be my foes  
to wear me out in age.   

Away, away from me,  
all ye that are unjust:  
Let him my woeful sound receive.  
in whom I put my trust.   

That I with joy may say,  
how to my suits accord,  
Vouchsafed hath to condescend  
my dear and loving Lord   

Let shame my foes befall,  
and vexed let them be,  
Their own conversion, or their shame,  
Lord, let them quickly see.   

Glory, o God to thee,  
and unto Christ thy son,  
As also to the holy Ghost,  
let endlessly by done.     

CHAP. XIIII. Memoratives.  
THe darts of lust are the eyes; and therefore fix not thy eye on that which thou mayest not desire.  
Opportunity kindleth the fire of concupiscence.  
In all temptations it is safer to fly, than to fight with Satan.  
Shun occasion of doing evil, and thou hast half over 〈◊〉 him.  
Affections are the feet of the mind; and therefore set ●atch over them, left they make her miscarry.  
Examine thy thoughts. If thou findest them to be good; ●re is the spirit: Quench not the spirit. If bad; forbidden 〈◊〉 entrance: for once admitted, they straightways for●e and are expelled with more difficulty, than not admitted.  
Epicurism is the fuel of lust; the more thou addest, 〈◊〉 more she is inflamed.  
There is no moment of time spent, which thou art not ●untable for, and therefore, when thou hearest the clock ●ike, think there is now another hour come whereof ●ou art to yield a reckoning; and by endeavouring to end one hour better than another, thou shalt come to me better perfection in Christianity.  
He that considereth the joys of heaven that good men ●●pect, or the dread of torments which the bad shall suffer, ●ll hardly sin.  
The end of a dissolute life is a desperate death. There as never precedent to the contrary, but in the thief in the gospel's: In one, le●t any should despair: in one alone, jest 〈◊〉 should presume.  
Think from whence thou camest, and blush: where ●ou art, and sigh: and tremble to remember whither thou ●●alt go.  
Desperate thoughts are fit for such as fear shame, and ●ot for such as hope for credit.  
Evil thoughts are the devils harbingers: for he lodgeth ●ot, but where they provide his entertainment.  
The whole world is as an house of exchange, in which Fortune is the nurse that breeds alteration.  
Mishap is the touchstone of friendship, and adversity ●he trial of friends.  
Indifferent equality is safest superiority.  
Where proportion keeps not the door, there confusion will quickly enter.  
Where passions increase, complaints multiply.  
It is neither freedom to live licentiously, nor liberty to live without labour.  
Labour in youth, gives strong hope of rest in old age.  
Carefulness and diligence are the keys of certainty.  
A malefactor hath fear for his bedfellow, care for hi● companion, and the sting of conscience for his torment.  
In contention, advised patience, and opportunity well ta●ken, are the best weapons of advantage.  
Thanks wax old when gifts are had in possession.  
So give, as that thou mayest always be giving, and never be said to have done giving.  
Give to the poor, but not beyond thy power.  
If thou givest a benefit, keep it close; but if thou rece●●uest one, publish it: for that invites another.  
Let thy wit be thy friend, thy mind thy companion, th● tongue thy servant.  
Let virtue be thy life, valour thy love, honour thy fame and heaven thy felicity.  
In differences rather choose to purchase by persuasion than to enjoy by violence.  
He that leaves his wife a goldfinch, may hap at his return find her a wagtail.  
On the anvil of upbraiding is forged the office of un●thankfulnesse.  
True nobility descending from ancestry proves base 〈◊〉 present life continued not thy dignity.  
The longer we delay to show our virtue, the strong 〈◊〉 the presumption that we are guilty of base beginning.  
Who may do all that he will, will do that which h● should not.  
Let thy speech be the shadow of thy deed.  
He is not worthy to find the truth, that deceitful seeks her.  
●●ocencie groweth in despite of oppression.  
dominion is always attended by envy.  
●ortune is always a friend to a froward mind.  
He never gives in vain that gives in zeal.  
Courtesy is the true character of a good mind.  
Anger is the cradle of courage.  
Looking eyes have liking hearts.  
Truth is the centre of religion.  
Dominion is safest, where obedience is best nouri●d.  
Let the eyes be sentinels of the body.  
By being silent, thou shalt both know other men's impertions, and conceal thine own.  
Charity and humility purchase immortality.  
Age may gaze at beauty's blossoms, but youth climbs tree and enjoys the fruit.  
Death is the tribute all flesh must pay.  
He dies most willingly that lived most honestly.  
Who lives to die, dies to live.  
Time is the herald of Truth: and Truth the daughter Time.  
Who climbs by privy sin, shall fall with open ●●me.  
Who swims in vice, will sink in vanity.  
The young man may die quickly, but the old man can live long.  
The chief properties of wisdom are to be mindful of eggs past, careful of things present, provident of things ●ome.  
The longer God stayeth, not finding amendment, the 〈◊〉 he scourgeth when he come to judgement.  
Whoso passeth many years, and purchaseth little profit, 〈◊〉 had a long being, and a short life.  
Let thy apparel be cleanly without singularity: thy ●●ch such as may maintain love and win affection.  
Use such affability and convenient compliments, as common civility and usual courtesy most requireth, without making thyself too cheap to thy friend, or him too dear to thee.  
Be not at any time idle. Alexander's soldiers should scale molehilles rather than rest unoccupied: it is the woman that sitteth still, that imagineth mischief: it is the rolling stone that riseth clean, and the running water that remaineth clear.  
Standing water is soon frozen, and he that sitteth still is quickliest overcome with sleep.  
Thoughts are the buds of the mind; and words the blossoms of their desires; and deeds the fruits of their event: and therefore he that will not suffer ill thoughts to fructify, must crop them in the bud.  
There be four good mothers have four bad daughters: Truth hath Hatred; Prosperity hath Pride; Security hath Peril; and Familiarity hath Contempt.  
He that refuseth to take counsel good cheap, buys repentance too dear.  
Let thy love hung on thy heart's bottom, not on thy tongue's brim.  
Mistrust no man without cause, neither be credulous without proof.  
Suspicion may enter a false action, but it is proof brings in the good plea.  
When we are most miserable, than God's grace is most favourable.  
Who thinks before he do, thrives before he think.  
A perverse man is like a sea crab that always swims against the stream.  
Wisdom is that Olive that springeth from the heart, bloometh on the tongue, and beareth fruit in the actions.  
The end of treachery is to have no trust.  
He that makes a question where there is no doubt, must take an answer where there is no reason.  
Where marriage rides on the saddle, repentance will be on the crupper.  
Before thou sleep, apparel thy remembrance with that thou didst waking.  
It is less pain to learn in youth, then to be ignorant in old age.  
Better not to be, then to be slave to passion.  
Innocency is the best good, and a guilty conscience the worst evil.  
Humility raiseth when fortune depresseth.  
He receives a benefit that bestows it worthily:  
Courtesy in majesty binds affection in duty.  
Delay in punishment is no privilege of pardon.  
The law of fear is melted by Christ in the mould of love.  
Every man is the workman of his fortune, and fashioneth her according to his manners.  
〈◊〉 is that mishap whereby we pass to better perfection▪  
〈…〉 that contenteth is best riches.  
Death and misfortune come soon enough if slow enough.  
So love as thou mayest hate.  
So hate as thou mayest love, and both without challenge.  
Opinion judgeth that the best, that it lest enjoyeth.  
judges opinions make suits immortal.  
〈◊〉 g●od belief bringeth forth a good life.  
〈◊〉 greater comfort then to know much: no less labour 〈…〉.  
No 〈…〉 misery then to fall into unknown misery.  
〈…〉 breedeth ignorance, and adversity bringeth forth knowledge.  
He cannot judge of pleasure, that never tasted pain.  
He finds best help in adversity, that seeks it in prosperity.  
The man is happiest that liveth least his own, and most his neighbours.  
A little stream drives a light mill.  
A small sum pays a short reckoning.  
Give a lazy clerk a lean fee.  
In little meddling lieth much rest.  
Where opportunity opens the shop door, the ware is best sold.  
A wanton eye lighteth where it leveleth.  
jealousy is the harbinger of disdain.  
He that will stir affection in others, must show passion in himself.  
Linger is loathsome where necessity requireth haste.  
Careless men are ever nearest their own harm.  
After the unlawful getting of a covetous father, soon followeth the riotous spending of a prodigal son.  
The virtue of a prince is the chiefest authority of his magistrate.  
A mild answer reconciles displeasure.  
A wanton eye is the messenger of an unchaste heart.  
There is nothing swifter decreasing, than youth while it is increasing.  
The soul is the greatest thing in the lest continent.  
Let the limits of thy power, be the bounds of thy will.  
A fair woman is a paradise to the eye, a purgatory to the purse and a hell to the soul.  
The death of an evil man is the safety of a good man.  
What harm the heart doth think, and hand effect, that will the worm of conscience betray.   
FINIS.   

THE BALLAD, OR; Some Scurrilous Reflections In Verse, On the PROCEED of the Honourable HOUSE of COMMONS: ANSWERED STANZA by STANZA.  
WITH THE Memorial, Alias Legion, REPLIED TO Paragraph by Paragraph.  
London, Printed by D. EDWARD'S, and Sold 〈…〉 Booksellers of London and Westminster.   

THE PREFACE.  
THOUGH the Design of this Publication is of so commendable a Nature in its self, as to need nothing to be said in favour of it; yet it may not be amiss, to make some Reflections in Prose, when the Ballad has escaped the Censure of Verse, and take notice of the Clemency of those Gentlemen its Presumptuous Author taxes with Cruelty.  
We have seen, these two or three days last passed, Papers publicly cried about, that dared the Face of Authority, and the Members abused that compose that Venerable Assembly that sat for the Redress of our Grievances, and has been employed in asserting our Right and Liberties; yet has their Patience been such, as to show us regard to those Abuses which bore none to Truth, and pass by Calumnies they were sensible the Good Laws they had obliged us with, could not deserve.  
Whosoever the two Authors are, the scurrilous pieces of Scandal that comes from 'em, 〈◊〉 Impudence enough in 'em to be called 〈…〉 liament thought 'em beneath their notice, I could not but think myself obliged to sand some Remarks of mine to keep 'em Company, since all the People of England are scandalized in the People of those that represent us.  
And though I may not probably make such a Figure in Metre, as this Champion of Quality, or the Prose defender of Rebellion; I am certain I have spoken more Truth, and am ready to own myself to be of the same order of Men, which their way of writing points them out to be of. For if they are of that House they writ in defence of, I dare affirm them to be the most unmannerly P—rs living; but his Stanza's are of such a Complexion, and his mercenary Paragraphs have such an unsavoury Tincture that I could not but think 'em two of our suburban Hirelings; And as such, I have endeavoured to treat' 'em.   

THE Ballad, etc.  

I  
YOU Trueborn Englishmen proceed  
Our trifling Crimes Detect,  
Let the Poor Starve, Religion Bleed,  
The Dutch be damned, the French succeed,  
And all by your Neglect.   

ANSWER.  
You Slaves who make it your Pretence  
To seek the Nations Good,  
And cant, and snarl, and give Offence  
To Men of Honesty and Sense,  
At all Dissemblers should.   

II  
Your Actions all the World disgust,  
The French are only glad,  
Your Friends your Honesty distrust,  
And while you think you're Wise and Just,  
The Nation thinks you mad.   

ANSWER.  
Speak Truth for once, and feeely own  
The justice of their Cause  
That never Parliament was known  
To be more faithful to the Throne,  
Or made more wholesome Laws.   

III  
Are these the ways your Wisdom takes.  
To raise our Reputation?  
To Quarrel at a few Mistakes  
While France their own Advantage makes,  
And laughs at all the Nation.   

ANSWER.  
〈◊〉 Councillors preside,  
And public harms propose,  
The way to humble France's Pride  
Is certainly to have 'em tried  
That we may know our Foes.   

IV.  
You are the People who of Old  
The Nations Troops disbanded,  
And now you should your Friends uphold,  
Your Friends and you are bought and sold,  
As always was intended.   

ANSWER.  
When all the Fears of War were passed  
And Peace was dearly gained  
Our Money ran away so fast,  
We must have sold ourselves at last,  
Had we those Troops maintained.   

V  
There's none but Fools in Time to come  
Will Trust the English Nation;  
For if they do they know their Doom,  
That we'll be falling out at Home  
And balk their Expectation.   

ANSWER.  
However when a Neighbr'ing Shore  
Demanded promised Aid,  
They sent ten thousand Warriors o'er,  
Keeping the Faith they gave before,  
And whom they sent they paid.   

VI  
You are the Nations Grand Defence  
Against Illegal Power;  
And yet against both Law and Sense,  
And sometimes too without pretence  
You sand Folk to the Tower.   

ANSWER.  
And a● the Duties of their Place  
Were to detect Abuses,  
Corruption durst not show its Face,  
Or Monies spent in any Case  
In Bribes or evil Uses,   

VII.  
Some Lords your Anger have incurred  
For Treaty of Partition,  
But if you'll take the Nation's word,  
Most People think it was Absurd  
And empty of Discretion.   

ANSWER.  
The Treaty of Partition must  
Without all Doubt have faults,  
If we can Lord or Commons trust  
Who voted Both it was unjust,  
And spoke the Nations thoughts.   

VIII.  
For if that 〈…〉 'tis famed,  
Gave part of Spain to Gaul,  
Why should those Gentlemen be blamed  
When you yourselves are not ashamed  
To let 'em take it All?   

ANSWER.  
Then how ran they be faultless who,  
Gave Counsel to divide,  
Or it in any sense he true,  
That 〈…〉 steps pursue,  
That take the Austrian side,   

IX.  
Bribes and ill Practices you found  
And some few felt your Power,  
But soon you 〈◊〉 yourselves aground  
For had you pushed the 〈◊〉 round,  
You all 〈◊〉 go to th' Tower.   

ANSWER.  
Shepherd, and the Tooth-drawing Squire  
Who'd be a Legislator,  
When Burgesses let out to Hire  
Would gratify a Knaves desire  
Know quite another Matter.   

X.  
Some Reformation has from you,  
In vain been long expected,  
For when you should your Business do,  
Your private Quarrels you pursue,  
And the Nation lies neglected.   

ANSWER.  
The Rights of those they represent  
Should ne'er be yielded by' 'em.  
And as they Articles have sent,  
The P●erss might hold themselves content,  
And by known Rules to try' 'em.   

XI:  
Long has the Kingdom bore the weight  
Of your deficient Fu●d●,  
That Parliamentary public cheat.  
Pray where's the difference of that  
And Plundering with Dragoons?   

ANSWER.  
Long has the Kingdom shown its Zeal.  
And been at vest Expenses.  
To forward good of commonweal  
And given Money, Hand and Seal,  
To prove 'twas in its Senses.   

XII.  
Are you the People that complain  
Of Arbitrary Power?  
Then show the Nation if you can,  
Where Kings have been, since Kings began,  
Such Tyrant's 〈◊〉 you are.   

ANSWER.  
Yet have some Miscreants ta'en the parts.  
Of Patriots misguided,  
And cursed the Men that had the Hearts  
To take to those, who studied Arts,  
That with their Country sided.   

XIII.  
When Kings with right and Law dispense,  
And set up Power despotic,  
It has been counted Law and Sense  
To take up Arms against our Prince,  
And call in aids Exotic.   

ANSWER.  
It's thought a Business now of great,  
And wondrous Reputation,  
To ruin us and help the State,  
While Nobles Sin at any Rate,  
And Beggar half the Nation.   

FOURTEEN.  
But you, although your Powers depend  
On every Plowman's Vote,  
Beyond the Law that Power extend,  
To ruin those you should defend,  
And cell the Power you bought.   

ANSWER.  
And as their Privilege takes Rise  
From Men of Low Condition,  
To study every thwarting Vice,  
That may bring twelve Pennies to a Sice,  
And hinder Coalition.  
Is it for this we must be thought,  
Strange insolent Pretenders,  
Whilst poor unthinking Lords are caught  
And vindicate that sorry thought  
That clears impeached Offenders.   

XU.  
The King Religion did Commend  
To you his Law-Explainers,  
We know not what you may intent,  
Nor how you should Religion mend,  
Unless you will your Manners.   

ANSWER.  
A Pious King may recommend  
Good Statutes to Lawgivers;  
But how can Nobles who pretend  
Religious Matters to befriend,  
Do good while such Bad Livers?   

XVI.  
You are the Nations darling Sons,  
The Abstract of our mob,  
For City Knights and Wealth Clowns,  
Stock Jobbers, Statesmen and Buffoons,  
You may defy the Globe.   

ANSWER.  
It's true the Common's all are Chose,  
By Common-People's Charters.  
But every living Creature knows,  
No Souls are thought such Common Foes,  
As Coronets and Garters.   

XVII.  
Toland insults the Holy Ghost,  
Bribed saint— razors bribes accuses,  
Good Manners and Religion's lost,  
The King who was your Lord of Host,  
The Rascal H—w abuses.   

ANSWER.  
S— rs to his Immortal Fame  
Has heard his Crimes repeated,  
And naval O—d to his Shame,  
Has got a Conscientious Name  
By being false acquitted.   

XVIII.  
Your Statesmen G— I'll with intent  
To cultivate with Care,  
The dignity of Parliament,  
Plies closely at the Dancing tent,  
And manages May-Fair.   

ANSWER.  
Bola H—m has uttered words,  
Audacious in Committee,  
And given Affronts to those whose Swords,  
Were full as sharp as any Lords,  
And Sentences as witty.   

XIX.  
The True Born Heroes diligence  
For public good appears,  
There he refines his Wit and Sense  
That the next day in our defence  
May fill Committee Chairs.   

ANSWER.  
Thou G— I'll has been lately bought  
And Country left for Court,  
And C— tts to show he valued naught,  
That was unparliamentary thought  
Attended Lords Report.   

XX.  
The limitation of the Crown  
Is your Immediate care,  
If your Wise Articles go down,  
Your Power will be so Lawless grown,  
'Tis no matter who's the Heir.   

ANSWER.  
If the Succession Bill restrain's  
All Arbitrary Notions,  
Had Men, or Gratitude, or Brains,  
They'd fairly thank 'em for their Pains,  
And praise such useful Motions.   

XXI.  
Did we for this depose our Prince,  
And Liberty assume,  
That you should with our Laws dispense,  
Commit Mankind without Offence,  
And Govern in his Room?   

ANSWER.  
Our Prince has been deposed for things  
Of fatal Consequences;  
But he that this poor inference brings  
That they who chose one since, are Kings,  
Must needs be out of's Senses.   

XXII.  
You should found out some other word  
To give the Crowns Accepter,  
To call him King would be Absurd,  
For though he'll seem to wear the Sword,  
'Tis you have got the Sceptre.   

ANSWER.  
Senate's think fit for public good  
To bridle Regal Power,  
And make Kings act as Monarches should,  
That spare their Subject's Wealth and Blood,  
Not those they Rule devour.   

XXIII.  
And now your wrath is smoking hot  
Against the Kent Petition,  
No Man alive can tell for what,  
But telling Truths which pleased you not,  
And taxing your Discretion.   

ANSWER.  
If Men of Kent Petitions draw,  
And idly vote Supplies,  
Instead of those who make the Law,  
The Gate House, or some Bedlam Straw,  
Must serve to make 'em Wise.   

XXIV.  
If you those Gentlemen detain  
By your unbounded Power,  
'Tis hoped you'll never more complain  
Of Bishops in King James' Reign,  
Scent blindly to the Tower.   

ANSWER.  
The Bishops were close Prisoners made,  
By reason of their Conscience,  
But these Impertinents, afraid  
A War would spoil their Owling Trade,  
Are shut up for their Nonsense.   

XXV.  
A strange Memorial too there came,  
Your Members to affronted,  
Which told you Truths you dare not Name,  
And so the Paper scaped the Flame,  
Or else it had been burnt.   

ANSWER.  
The House had other Fish to fry,  
When Legions Libel came,  
Then to sit talking o'er a Lie,  
Which had been punished, by the By,  
Had th' Author sent his Name.   

XXVI.  
Some said the Language was severe,  
And into Passion flew,  
Some too began to curse and swear,  
And called the Author Mutineer,  
But all Men said 'twas true.   

ANSWER.  
The Language certainly was such  
As show'd the Writers breeding,  
And for Civility kept touch  
With those, it would defend, the Dutch,  
That use such rough Proceeding.   

XXVII.  
But o! the Consternation now  
In which you all appear!  
'Tis plain from whence your terrors ●le●▪  
For had your guilt been lesle you knew,  
So would have been your fear.   

ANSWER.  
And since such falsehoods were given out,  
By those who wished 'em Evil,  
'Twas time for them to look about,  
And to prevent the Rabble Rout,  
Since Mob's a very Devil.   

XXVIII.  
In Fifteen Articles you're told  
You have our Rights betrayed,  
Bantered the Nation, bought and sold  
The Liberties you should uphold;  
No wonder you're afraid.   

ANSWER.  
Five Hundred Articles might show  
What Malice could device,  
But had those Articles been true,  
And worthy of a Public view,  
Their Votes had made 'em Lies.   

XXIX.  
And now to make yourselves appear  
The more Impertinent,  
A wise Address you do prepare,  
To have His Majesty take care  
Rebellion to prevent.   

ANSWER.  
Addresses at a time when those  
They wisely represent,  
Are threatened by the Kingdom's Foes,  
Who would have Brethren come to Blows,  
Are needful by Consent.   

XXX.  
Not doubt His Majesty will please  
To take your Cause in hand,  
Besides the work is done with ease,  
Full Seven thousand Men he has  
The Nation to defend.   

ANSWER.  
His Majesty has taken care  
To Guard us at their Motion,  
And where we've Fleets without compare,  
Seven thousand Men are very fair,  
When they command the Ocean.   

XXXI.  
Our Hundred Thousand Heroes more  
Do our Trained Bands compose,  
If foreign Forces should come o'er,  
Plant them and you upon the Shoar,  
How bravely you'll oppose.   

ANSWER.  
There's no great likelihood appears  
Of Foreigners Invasion,  
Since Rook around the Channel steers,  
And Troops enough to quell those Fears,  
Are ready on Occasion.   

XXXII.  
Then blush ye Senators to see  
How all Men stand dismayed,  
The Nation should so patiented be,  
To bear withal your Villainy,  
And see themselves betrayed.   

ANSWER.  
Then blush, vile, murmuring Scribe at ●ight  
Of what you cannot prove,  
And see whilst you Invectives writ,  
How Senators contemn your spite,  
And gain the Nations Love.   

XXXIII.  
It was our Freedom to defend,  
That We the People chose you,  
And We the People do pretend  
Our power of Choosing may extend  
To punish and depose you.   

ANSWER.  
We Apples cried the Horse-Turds, who  
Were naught, but common Dung.  
So We the People's used by you,  
Who never had perhaps to do  
With Choosing Right or Wrong.   

XXXIV.  
For since in vain our Hopes and Fears,  
Petitions too are vain,  
No Remedy but this appears,  
To pull the House about your Ears,  
And sand you home again.   

ANSWER.  
But softly, Friend, 'twixt you and me,  
This would for Truth be known  
Should any be so bold, he'd see  
Their Ear would stand, and such as he,  
Would probably have none.   

XXXV.  
These are the Nations Discontents,  
The Causes are too true,  
The Ploughman now his Choice reputes,  
For though he values Parliaments,  
He's out of Love with You.   

ANSWER.  
That Ploughman neither must have Wit  
Or sense of growing Favours,  
Who does not wish and think it fit,  
Such Patriots should for ever sit,  
And perfect their Endeavours.   

XXXVI.  
When to be chose with Caps in hand  
You courted every Voice,  
You were our Servants at Command.  
By which it seems you understand,  
Until we made our Choice.   

ANSWER.  
If things were rightly understood,  
You'd be in other Story,  
And freely own, as Sinners should,  
They're forced to beg to do us Good,  
And forward England's Glory.   

XXXVII.  
If that be true, we let you know  
Upon that very Score,  
You'd best your present Hours bestow  
In all the Mischiefs you can do,  
For we'll ne'er choose you more.   

ANSWER.  
Scribblers may Writ what Scribblers please,  
And threatening Periods use,  
But such poor Animals as these  
Are of such penniless Degrees,  
They have no Right to Choose.    

LEGIONS.  

Mr. S— R.  
THE Memorial you are Charged with, in the behalf of many Thousand of the good People of England.  
There is neither Popish, Jacobite, Seditious, Court, or Party Interest concerned in it; but Honesty and Truth.  
You are commanded by Two Hundred Thousand Englishmen, to deliver to the H— c of C— s, and to inform them that it is no Banter, but Serious Truth; and a Serious Regard to it is expected; nothing but justice, and their Duty is required, and it is required by them who have brth a Right to Require, and Power to Compel, viz. the People of England.  
We could have come to the House Strong enough to Oblige them to hear us, but we have avoided any Tumults, not desiring to Embroil, but to Save our Native Country.  
If you refuse to communicate it to them, you will found cause in a short time to Repent it.   

To R—t H —y Esq S— razors to the H— e of C— s, These.  
M— S.  
Answer.  
THE Enclosed Libel, to which its Author gives the Name of a Memorial, bears so little proportion to the Sentiments of the People, and has so small an Argument with either Honesty or Truth, that not one of the Good People of England, though he boasts of many Thousand, can be concerned in it.  
As it is written in favour of the Proceed of a certain Body of Men, who would stretch the Power of Greatness beyond its due length, and would take off from those Authorities of Parliament, which have been so generously Asserted in the Days of our Forefathers, so 'tis hoped the next Sessions 〈…〉 those Worthy People who Generously Stand up for the Privileges of the Commons of England, an Opportunity of going through with so laudable a design as the Punishment of evil Councillors, the Promotion of the King's Honour, and Advancement of the Public Good.  
And you may be assured you shall not want those to stand by you, who have entrusted you with the Defence of their Rights, and Liberties, notwithstanding the Numbers which a Prerogative Party may threaten You with; since the People of England's Honour is concerned in the Violation of that of their Representatives, and we aught to vindicate the Proceed of those Gentlemen that would bring the Betrayers of their Country to public Justice.  
To the H—ble R—● H —y Esq S—r of the H— of C—   

The Memorial.  
To the K—r, C—s, and B—s in P—t Assembled. A Memorial. Legion.  
From the Gentlemen, freeholders and Inhabitants of the Counties of— in the behalf of themselves, and many Thousand of good People of England. Gentlemen,  
It were to be wished you were Men of that Temper, and possessed of so much Honour, as to bear with the Truth, though it be against you: Especially from us who have so much Right to tell it you: but since even Petitions to you from Your Masters, (for such are the People who Chose you) are so Haughtily received, as with the Committing the Authors to Illegal Custody; you must give us leave to give you this fall Notice of your Misbehaviour, without Exposing our Names.  
An. To show us what sort of Truths the House of Commons are desired to bear with, the Libeler 〈…〉 being their Representatives Masters, because they Chose 'em, which is altogether as false, as if he should say they are His Majesty's Superiors, on account of their Investing him with the Royal Authority. A sort of an Assertion he might well be ashamed of, and for that Reason forbear to expose his Name on account of it.  
Le. If you think fit to rectify your Error, you will do we●l, and possibly may hear no more of us; but if not, assure yourselves the Nation will not long hide their Resentment. And though there are no stated Proceed to bring you to your Duty, yet the great Law of Reason says, and all Nations allow, that whatever Power is above Law, is Buthensome and Tyrannical; and may be Reduced by Extrajudicial Methods: You are not above the People's Resentment,, they that made you Members, may reduce you to the same Rank from whence they chose you, and may give you a Taste of their abused Kindness, in Terms you may not be pleased with.  
Ans. Power above Law is allowed to be Burdensome, etc. but a Power that goes hand in hand with it (as theirs does) is of a different Nature; and if the People have a Right of Unmaking, alias dissolving Parliaments, they are upon the same Level with the Prince, which seems wholly contradictory to the Design of this pretended Memorial.  
Le. When the People of England Assembled in Convention, Presented the Crown to His present Majesty, they annexed a Declaration of the Rights of the People, in which was Expressed what was Illegal and Arbitrary in the former Reign, and was claimed as of Right to be done by Succeeding Kings of England.  
In like manner, here follows, Gentlemen, a short Abridgement of the Nations Grievances, and of your Illegal and Unwarrantable Practices; and a Claim of Right which we make in the Name of ourselves, and such of the good People of England, as are justly Alarmed at your Proceed.  
Ans. The Convention made their Claim of Right for the sake of the People▪ but our Male content enters his, on purpose to set 'em together by the Ears; and though he has no Grievances to be Redressed in relation to the Gentlemen he makes his Address to, yet it may be observable, he tacitly owns the Superiority of them he called the People's Servants, by this Impudent Remonstrance.  
Le. To raise Funds, for Money, and Declare by borrowing Clauses, that whosoever Advances Money on those Funds, shall be Reimbursed out of the next Aid, if the Funds fall short; and then give Subsequent Funds, without Transferring the Deficiency of the former, is a horrible Cheat on the Subject who lent the Money; a Breach of Public Faith, and destructive to the Honour and Credit of Parliaments.  
Ans. The raising Funds by such Unanimous Resolutions and quick Dispatches, without burdening the Subject should have more grateful Returns: and we must acknowledge the Deficiency of Funds to be the Effect of their Compassion, as their Endeavours to make 'em good, are to be attributed to their great Love of Justice.  
Le. To Imprison Men who are not your own Members, by no Proceed but a Vote of the House, and to continued them in Custody, Sine die, is Illegal; a Notorious Breach of the Liberty of the People; Setting up a Dispensing Power in the House of Commons, which your Fathers never pretended to; bidding Defiance to the H●beas Corpus Act, which is the Balwark of Personal Liberty, destructive of the Laws, and Betraying the Trust reposed in you. The King at the same time being obliged to continued in Custody the Horrid Assassinators of his Person.  
Ans. The Right of Parliaments to commit Offenders and punish their Delinquencies, has been deduced to 'em from their Ancestors, and has so many Precedents for their Justifications; that no Person who had any Remembrance of former Proceed would question it: and how the King was forced to Petition them to continued the Conspirators on Custody, when they moved His 〈…〉 I can't possibly prevail with my 〈…〉.  
Le. Committing to Custody those Gentlemen, who at the Command of the People (whose Servants you are) did in Peaceable way put you in mind of Petitioning for Redress of Grievances, which has by all Parliaments before you, been acknowledged to be their undoubted Right.  
Ans. If Gentlemen turn intermeddla●ss with what concerns them not, and set up for their Councillor's Advisers, they aught to be made sensible of their Faults, and brought to a sense of their Duty.  
Le. Voting a Petition from the Gentlemen of Kent Insolent, is Ridiculous and Impertinent, because the freeholders of England are your Superiors; and is a Contradiction in itself, and a Contempt of the English Freedom, and contrary to the Nature of Parliamentary Power.  
Ans. To call an Audacious Petition Insolent, is to give it his true Name; and to say the Parliament are the Nations Servants, otherwise than the Members of it are Volunteers to do it Service, has nothing but downright Falsehood in it.  
Le. Voting People guilty of Bribery and Ill Practices, and Committing them, as aforesaid, without Bail, and then upon Submission, and kneeling to your House, discharging them; Exacting Exorbitant Fees by your Officers, is Illegal, Betraying the Justice of the Nation, Selling the Liberty of the Subject, encouraging the Extortion and Villainy of Gaolers and Officers; and discontinuing the Legal Prosecution of Offenders in the ordinary Course of Law.  
Ans. There Votes were founded upon Substantial Proofs, and their release of the People bribed, upon the utmost Compassion. And paying the accustomed Fees, as regulated by Authority of Parliaments, is so far from being an Exaction, that it would be an Injury to the Subject, should they give 'em away from them who had purchased' 'em.  
Le. Prosecuting the Crime of Bribery in some to serve a Party, and then proceed no farther, though Proof lay before you, is Partial and Unjust; and a Scandal upon the Honour of Parliaments.  
Ans. Their Delay in bringing Matters to Severity against the People accused, proceeded from their earnest Desire to preserve that People, some of which raised these Clamours against them.  
Le. Voting the Treaty of Partition Fatal to Europe, because it gave so much of the Spanish Dominions to the French, and not concerning yourselves to prevent their Possession of it all. Deserting the Dutch when the French are at their Doors, till it be almost too late to help them; is Unjust to our Treaties, and unkind to our Confederates, Dishonourable to the English Nation, and shows you very negligent of the Safety of England, and of our Protestant Neighbours.  
Ans. If they Voted the Treaty of Partition Fatal to Europe, the Effect of it Justified their proceed; and the timely Assistance they sent the Dutch, has been acknowledged by His Majesty, as the only Means to preserve the Balance of Europe, which is directly contrary to this Assertion.  
Le. Ordering immediate Hear to trifling Petitions, to please Parties in Elections; and Postponing the Petition of a Widow for the Blood of her. murmured Daughter, without giving it a reading: is an illegal Delay of Justice, and dishonourable to Public Justice of the Nation.  
Ans. To gratify the Desires of whole Bodies of Men, aught to be preferable to the Encouragement of an idle Woman's Petition, that had nothing in it against a Gentleman of established Repuation, who had been Honourably Acquitted by due course of Law.  
Le. Addressing the King to displace his Friends upon bore Surmises, before a Legal Trial or Article proved, is Illegal, and Inverting the Law, and making Execution go before Judgement; contrary to the true Sense of the Law, which esteems every Man a good Man till something appears to the contrary.  
Ans. When the King for want of Advice, and a due knowledge of our English Constitutions, entertains those for Favourites, that are approved Enemies to the English Reputation, 'tis but just to petition for their removal: and His Majesty's displacing of 'em, would be nothing like Execution before Judgement; since Judgements upon Impeachments, are Imprisonments and pecuniary.  
Le. Delaying the Proceed upon Capital Impeachments, to blast the Reputation of the People, without proving the Fact; is Illegal and Oppressive, Destructive of the Liberty of Englishmen, a Delay of Justice, and a Reproach of Parliaments.  
Ans. The delay of the Trials of the Impeached Lords might probably lie at another door; and if they'l● believe their own Representatives, other Gentlemen occasioned the Obstruction.  
Le. Suffering Saucy and indecent Reproaches upon His Majesty's Person to be publicly m●de in your House; particularly by that Impudent Scandal of Parliaments I— n H—w, without showing such Resentments as you aught to do. The said I— H—, saying only, That His Majesty had made a Felonious Treaty to rob his Neighbours; insinuating, that the Partition Treaty (which was every way as just as blowing up one Man's House to save another's) was a Combination to rob the King of Spain of its due. This is making a Billingsgate of the House, and setting to B●lly your Sovereign, contrary to the Intent and Meaning of that Freedom of Speech, which you claim as a Right: is scandalous to Parliaments; Undutiful and Unmannetly, and a Reproach to the whole Nation.  
Ans. Mr. How might probably out of his great Abhorrence of Injustice; add an Epithet to that Treaty, which the Nature of it deserved. But the Reflection was very far from falling on His Majesty, since, the whole House in their Address had wholly laid the Odium of it upon those that advised t.  
Le. Your saint— razors Exacting the Exorbitant Rate of 10 l. per Diem for the V— s, and giving the Prince's encouragement to raise it on the People, by felling them at 4 d. per Sheet; is Illegal and Arbitrary Ex●●tion, dishonourable to the House, and burthen●●▪  
Ans. If the Speaker is expected to maintain the Dignity of the High Post he has been called to by Choice of Parliament, he aught to have the same Allowance as most of his Predecessors, and it's none of his Fault that the Votes run at so high a Rate; but the Niggardly Temper of the Printers, whom they aught to discourage by not buying 'em, since he has no such price for them.  
Le. Neglecting still to pay the Nations Debts, Compounding for Interest, and Postponing Petitions; is Illegal, Dishonourable, and Destructive of the Public Faith.  
Ans. The Payment of the Nations Debts has taken up a Considerable part of their Care, and the destruction of the public Faith can be no other way brought about, than by those that encourage public Dissensions.  
Le. Publicly neglecting the Great work of Reformation of Manners, though often pressed to it by the King, to the great Dishonour of God, and encouragement of Vice, is a Neglect of your Duty, and an Abuse of the Trust reposed in you, by God, His Majesty, and the People.  
Ans. When such Fellows as our Impudent Author, are beyond any possibility of being Reformed, it is but flinging away their precious time to make Laws in order to reclaim' 'em.  
Le. Being Scandalously Vicious yourselves, both in your Morals and Religion; Lewd in Life, and Erroneous in Doctrine, having public Blasphemers, and Impudent Deniers of the Divinity of our Saviour amongst you, and suffering them unreproved and unpunished, to the infinite Regret of all good Christians, and the Just Abhorrence of the whole Nation.  
Ans. Then he that pretends to be one of the Electors of 'em has made a fine Choice, if People of such ill Fame and Morals represent him. But I am of another Opinion; and though they have no Lawn Sleeves among 'em, their Choice of Preachers, 〈…〉 and Edifying 〈…〉  
Le Wherefore, in the 〈…〉 Ruin of our Native Country, while Parliaments (which aught to be the Security and Defence of our Laws and Constitution) betray their Trust and abuse the People whom they should protect: And no other way being left us but That Force which we are very loathe to make use of, that Posterity may know we did not insensibly fall under the Tyranny of a Prevailing Party,  
Ans. They have made such provision for the public Security, that nothing can obstruct it, unless the Jealousies and Fears he disperses among us, has that 〈◊〉 Effect as to disturb it. And for the making use of Force which he rebelliously threatens 'em with, their Party, without doubt will be so Prevailing, as to be able to repel it with the same violent Methods. We do hereby  
Claim and Declare.  
Le. That it is the Undoubted Right of the People of England, in Case their Representatives in Parliament do not proceed according to their Duty, and the People's Interest, to inform them of their Dislike, disown their Actions, and to direct them to such thinks as they think fit, either by Petition, Address, Proposal, Memorial, or any other peaceable way.  
Ans. The People by the Choice of their Representatives resign up all their Authority to 'em which they are actually invested with; and whatever Petition, Address, Proposal, Memorial, etc. is represented by them, may be rejected by the aforesaid Power they have given' 'em.  
Le. That the House of Commons, separately and otherwise than by Bill legally passed into an Act, have no Legal Power to suspend or dispense with the Laws of the Land, any more than the King has by his Prerogative.  
Ans. There are Precedents from the first Institution of Parliaments to the contrary, and the Repea● of any Law whatsoever. ●f not judged useful, has been always allowed to be their Prerogative, which has never been otherwise by those that are now Members of the House of Commons, otherwise than in Concert with the two other Estates of the Nation.  
Le. That the House of Commons have no Legal Power to imprison any Person, or commit them to Custody of Sergeants, or otherwise (their own Members except) but aught to Address the King, to 'cause any People, on good Grounds, to be apprehended, which Person so apprehended, aught to have the Benefit of the Habeas Corpus Act, and be fairly brought to Trial by due Course of Law.  
Ans. Where would be the punishment of rich Offenders, should the Habeas Corpus Act be allowed, in Cases of Kentish Petitioners, and other such Insolent pretenders to prescribe turning their Addresses into Bills of Supplies to Parliament?  
Le. That if the House of Commons, in Breach of the Laws and Liberties of the People, do betray the Trust reposed in them, and act Negligent or Arbitrarily and Illegally, it is the undoubted Right of the People of England to call them to an Account for the same, and by Convention, Assembly of Force may proceed against them as Traitors and Betrayers of their Country.  
Ans. Inferiors must not be Judges where Superiors are concerned, and things are not come to such a● pass as they were in 48, when even a King Himself was sentenced to Death by the Instigation of the Devil and those he now calls the People.  
Le. These things we think proper to declare, as the unquestioned Right of the People of England, whom you serve, and in pursuance of that Right (avoiding the Ceremony of Petitioning our Inferiors, for such you are by your present Circumstances, as the Person sent is lesle than the Sender) We do publicly protest against all your foresaid Illegal Actions, and in the Name of ourselves, and of all the good People of England,  
Ans. The person sent may be lesle than the Senders, but when One is to be Choose into an High Station by his Superiors, the Elected has certainly got the Start of the Electors, and is Superior to those whom he may call The People of England.  
Le. That all the Public Just Debts of the Nation be forthwith Paid and Discharged.  
Ans. They'll agreed to the Proposal; Will the Person that makes the Demand furnish 'em with Ways and Means.  
Le. That all People illegally imprisoned, as aforesaid▪ be either immediately discharged, or admitted to Fail, as by Law they aught; and the Liberty of the Subject Recognized and Restored.  
Ans. This will also be allowed, if Sir Positive, can bring any Proof of People being Illegally Confined.  
Le. That I— n H—w aforesaid be obliged to ask His Majesty Pardon for his Vile Reflections, or be immediately Expelled the House.  
Ans. Without doubt, Mr. How is so much a Gentleman, as to ask any Man's pardon, if he has wronged him.  
Le. That the growing power of France be taken into Consideration; the Succession of the Emperor to the Crown of Spain supported, our Protestant Neighbour's as the true Interest of England, as the protected, Protestant Religion requires.  
Ans. The Union of France and Spain has taken up no small part of their Time, and they have been so Speedy as well as Hearty in their Desires to His Majesty to make new Alliances, in order to disappoint their Joint Endeavours, That the Emperor, and all our Protestant Neighbours, cannot but show their Satisfaction in what they have done.  
Le. That the French King be obliged to quit Flanders, or that His Majesty be addressed to declare War against him.  
Ans. To declare War will be of more Disadvantage to the Kingdoms than Auxiliary Forces, which are enough to conserve our Reputation amongst our Confederates.  
Le. That Suitable Supplies be granted to His Majesty for the putting all these necessary things in execution, and that care be taken that such Taxes as are raised may be ●ore equally Assessed and Collected, and scandalous Deficiencies prevented.  
Ans. The Supplies have been granted, and His Majesty has thanked 'em for their ready Concurrence in Complying with his Desires.  
Le. That the Thanks of this House may be given to those Gentlemen who so gallantly appeared in the the behalf of their Country, with the Kentish Petition, and have been so scandalously used for it.  
Ans. They may thank themselves for their Confinement, in endeavouring to be Representatives of the People themselves, and coming to Affronted those who were theirs.  
Le. Thus Gentlemen. You have your Duty laid before you, which 'tis hoped you will think of; but if you continued to neglect it, you may expect to be treated according to the Resentment of an injured Nation; for Englishmen are no more to be Slaves to Parliament, than to a King.  
Our Name is Legion, and we are Many.  
Ans. Thus, Gentleman, or Plebeian, or whatever thou art, thou hast been a mere Devil in endeavouring to sow the Seeds of Discord among thy Fellow Subjects, and mayst well subscribe with the Name of Legion, which has been made use of in Scripture for a Devil of particular Eminence.  

Post Script.  
Le. If you require to have this Memorial signed with our Names, it shall be done on your first Order, and personally presented.  
Ans. You could not Subscribe your Christian Names to such Heathenish Proceeeings; if you had, you would in all likelihood have kept your Fellow Mutineers Company in the Gatehouse.    
FINIS.